The sound of applause thundered through the grand hall, filling the air with the rustle of elegant gowns and sharp suits. Cameras stood ready on both sides of the stage, their lenses glinting under the lights. A few people in formal attire began walking confidently up to the stage.
Once everyone had settled back into their seats, the host began speaking in a loud, enthusiastic voice.
"Good evening, everyone. Alright, let's begin tonight's film premiere of \*\*\*…"
On the other side of the stage, amidst the bustling opening, a beautiful woman standing in the spotlight caught a smile—a sly, meaningful smile—directed straight at her.
"And tonight," the MC continued, "we also have a very special guest for this gala premiere. Please welcome… Sir, if you would, come up to the stage."
The woman turned, glancing toward someone who was making his way toward her. But before she could make out his face, a blinding light flashed in her eyes.
**15 Years Earlier **
The scene shifted to a school surrounded by gardens bursting with beautiful flowers. Anyone would find the place delightful. Anyone—except a girl named **Mia**.
For Mia, school was not a place of joy; it was more like an upper-class prison. The surroundings were pleasant, yes—but the people inside were not.
Mia was used to spending her time in the school garden, reading her favorite novels alone. She enjoyed the silence—no interruptions, no one around. During breaks, while the other students gathered in groups, Mia always sat alone. From her first year until now, in her third, she hadn't had a single friend. Whether she had grown used to it or was still trying to, it didn't matter—she didn't consider it a serious problem.
She might have seemed antisocial, but deep down, Mia carried a quiet hope: she wanted to create at least one beautiful memory before graduation.
The bell rang, signaling the start of class. Students returned to their respective rooms. Mia was in the top class—filled with bright students from various majors. Yet every time she stepped inside, she felt lost. She was never good at the sciences, especially math. Mia's world was literature and language.
The first lesson had just begun when the classroom door opened. The vice principal, Mr. Romeo, stepped in, knocking lightly.
"Good morning, everyone. Sorry to interrupt," he said politely. "Today, you'll have a new classmate. Please, come in."
A boy walked inside, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Handsome face, neat appearance, and a warm smile gracing his lips.
"I'm Gabriel Ananda. Nice to meet you all."
A wave of murmurs and admiring whispers rippled through the room.
"You can sit in the empty seat at the back," Mr. Romeo instructed, pointing toward the rear.
Gabriel nodded and began walking. Mia, who sat at the back, instantly tensed up. She lowered her head, pretending to read a book under her desk, hoping he wouldn't sit beside her. But the footsteps came closer—and in the end, Gabriel sat right next to her without a word. He simply took out a book and placed it on the desk.
Mia fought the urge to glance sideways. She feared her heart wouldn't survive the sudden jolt.
When class ended, her only thought was to escape this nerve-wracking situation as fast as possible.
"Mia?"
The voice stopped time.
"Uh… yes?" she stammered, slowly looking toward the source—Gabriel.
"Could I borrow your notes from earlier?"
The simple question sounded unexpectedly warm, dissolving her awkwardness.
"Um… sure," Mia replied softly. She reached into her desk, retrieved her notebook, and handed it to him.
"Thanks," Gabriel said with a smile.
That smile sent her heart racing again. Even after he left, she couldn't wipe the faint grin from her own face.
*After School*
When the dismissal bell rang, Mia quickly packed her books. That day, for the first time, she decided to take the public bus. Normally, she preferred more comfortable transportation, but she had forgotten her allowance, leaving her no other choice.
The beep of her bus card confirmed her fare. As she stepped inside, she saw the bus was crowded with standing passengers. Mia froze for a moment, unsure of where to hold. Before she could grab a handrail, the bus lurched forward. She lost her balance and nearly fell backward.
Before she could hit the floor, a pair of hands caught her.
Eyes shut tight, her body tense with panic, she felt someone gently rub her back as if to calm her.
"Are you okay?"
That voice… it was familiar. Mia slowly opened her eyes—only to find Gabriel's face mere inches away.
"I—I'm fine… thank you," she said in a flustered tone, quickly adjusting her stance and stepping back.
"By the way," Gabriel asked, "which stop are you getting off at?"
The question caught her off guard. She wanted to keep her distance, yet Gabriel seemed intent on closing it.
"Stop 245," she answered briefly, turning her face away.
"No way! Same here. Could it be we live near each other?" Gabriel sounded genuinely enthusiastic—and curious.
Part of her wanted to hope that was true, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Life never gave her such luck.
When the bus reached their stop, heavy rain greeted them outside. Mia realized she had left her umbrella in her desk.
"Ugh, stupid weather forecast," she grumbled, hurrying under the shelter of the bus stop. Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand, pulling her forward. She stumbled—straight into someone's arms.
For a brief moment, silence fell. Even the sound of the rain seemed to vanish.
"Uh… could you let go? I can't breathe," came a familiar voice.
Mia sprang back, face burning. "Sorry! I didn't mean to!" she blurted, bowing deeply, wishing the ground would swallow her.
"It's fine." Gabriel smiled calmly. "Here, take my umbrella." He placed it in her hands, holding them briefly before walking away, using his bag to shield himself from the rain.
Mia stood frozen. She didn't even get to say thank you—only watching his back disappear into the curtain of rain.
*At Home*
"I'm home!"
The moment Mia opened the door, the aroma of something delicious greeted her senses.
"Wow… is this chicken soup?" she murmured happily. "It's been ages since you made this, Mom. Is there a special occasion?"
Dropping her bag onto the sofa, she walked toward the kitchen. There, her mother was busy stirring a large pot on the stove.
"Who said it's for you? Your father suddenly wanted to eat this 'prehistoric soup'," her mother replied in a half-irritated tone, though her face was still soft with affection.
Mia chuckled and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her mother from behind. It was a hug that felt warm and safe—like home itself.
When dinner was ready, Mia sat at the table, eager to dig into her favorite chicken soup. But just as she reached for a spoon, her mother swatted her hand.
"Ouch, Mom! That hurts!" Mia complained, pulling her hand back with a pout.
"That's not for you," her mother said firmly, placing a large thermos of soup into a woven basket. "Take this to the neighbor across the street."
"Are they even home?" Mia teased, her tone familiar enough to make her mother roll her eyes.
"Of course they are! Now hurry up! Do you want to eat or not?"
The mention of food was enough motivation. Mia stood, grabbed the basket, and stepped out of the house, walking just a few steps to the neighbor's front door.
With a gentle knock, the door swung open to reveal a middle-aged woman. She was strikingly beautiful for her age, tall and graceful.
"Good afternoon, Auntie. I'm the daughter of Mrs. Tata from across the street. My mother asked me to bring you some chicken soup," Mia said politely, offering the basket.
"Why, thank you, dear… What's your name?"
"Just call me Mia, Auntie," she replied with a small smile.
The woman's face lit up warmly. "Mia, have you eaten yet? Why don't you join me for dinner? I'm all alone tonight—my husband and child are out. It's far too quiet."
Mia hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded. She was too tired to argue, and the woman's sincerity was hard to refuse.
*At Auntie's House*
They sat in a cozy dining room, the table simple yet inviting. Throughout the meal, the woman kept chatting, telling story after story with genuine enthusiasm. At first, Mia responded only out of politeness, but gradually, she began to relax.
There was something about the woman's presence—she didn't just talk to fill the silence. She spoke as if she truly wanted to listen, truly wanted company.
By the time Mia left, her heart felt a little lighter. That night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, a faint smile curved her lips.
*The Next Morning*
Mia left home earlier than usual. The clock had just struck 6:00 a.m. when she closed the door behind her, her backpack slung over her shoulder.
For some students, that would have been far too early. But not for Mia. She loved the peace of the morning—the cool air, the quiet streets, and the sound of her footsteps mingling with the rustling leaves. There was a calmness in such moments, as if the world had yet to fully awaken.
Arriving at school, she passed by the small garden near her classroom. That was when she spotted a cat rummaging through the trash bin. Mia approached slowly, and the cat darted behind a large flower pot.
Reaching into her uniform pocket, Mia pulled out a small packet of cat food. She always carried it—just in case she met a furry friend in need.
"Here… come on out. I won't hurt you," she coaxed gently.
The cat eventually emerged, eating greedily. Mia stroked its head as it ate. The little creature rubbed itself against her leg, purring softly.
"Little one… where's your mother? You must be lonely, huh?" she whispered, continuing to pet it. She fed the cat until the packet was empty.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind her, holding out a small box. Mia turned to see a young man standing there.
"Here."
"Oh… Nando?" Mia instantly recognized him.
*Nando*
Nando was the school's P.E. teacher—and currently her homeroom teacher. But more than that, he had been part of her childhood. Back when her family went through hard times, Nando's family was the only one who offered help, even giving them a place to stay for a while.
He was four years older than her, but their bond had always been like that of real siblings.
"Mia…" Nando's voice carried a note of exasperation. "How many times have I told you? Stop buying cat food so often. No wonder your allowance runs out so quickly."
Mia smiled faintly, turning her gaze back to the cat.
"Eat up, little one," she said, pretending not to hear his scolding.
Despite his complaints, Nando still handed her a fresh packet of cat food. Mia knew—beneath his seemingly aloof exterior, his heart was warm. Especially when it came to standing up against unfairness.
Her mind drifted back to when they were children, when a group of kids had bullied her in the playground. Nando had found out, and the next day, he'd gone there himself… and confronted each of them. They had both been scolded harshly by their parents afterward, but from that day on, Mia knew she had someone who would protect her.
"Mia…" Nando's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Instead of talking to cats all the time, why don't you try making friends with people?"
Mia sighed softly. She had heard that line too many times before.
"They're the ones who don't want to be friends with me, Nando. It's not my fault."
He fell silent. He knew she wasn't avoiding the truth—it was simply reality. For as long as she could remember, Mia had never truly been accepted by her classmates. Whenever she tried to reach out, they would pull away, sometimes even laugh at her.
"No matter how hard I try… if they don't like me, there's nothing I can do, right? So I just… give them the wall they seem to want," she said quietly.
Nando looked at her, wanting to say something, but chose to remain silent. He knew—for a heart like Mia's, words would never be enough. What she needed… was time. And someone who would truly see her.