By the time the final bell rang, Aria was exhausted. The first day of high school had felt like a marathon—new classrooms, endless introductions, and teachers piling on rules as though they wanted to crush the students on day one.
She dragged her feet out of the school gates, clutching her backpack straps.
"I can't believe I already have homework," she muttered under her breath.
A familiar voice came from behind her.
"Guess you're not the only one."
She turned to see Asher, walking with his usual calm pace. He didn't look tired at all, which made Aria groan dramatically.
"How are you not dead right now? I feel like a squashed tomato."
That earned her a quiet chuckle. "Maybe I hide it better."
They walked together, the late afternoon sun spilling gold across the quiet streets. For a while, the silence between them felt easy, almost comforting.
Then Asher spoke again. "Your bread was good, by the way."
Her eyes lit up. "Really? You liked it?"
He nodded. "Better than anything I've had in a while."
Aria beamed, the simple compliment making her chest feel warm. But just as she was about to reply, a strange chill passed over her. She glanced around.
The street was unusually quiet. No kids playing outside. No dogs barking. Even the wind seemed to have stopped.
"…Doesn't it feel too quiet?" she asked softly.
Asher looked around, frowning slightly. "Yeah. Now that you mention it."
They kept walking, and when they turned the corner, Aria stopped short.
"…Wait," she said, pointing at a familiar row of houses.
"You live here?"
"Yeah," Asher answered, puzzled.
Her mouth fell open. "You're kidding. I live right there!" She pointed to the house right next to his.
Realization dawned, and both of them burst into laughter.
"You mean… all this time, you've been my neighbor?" Aria asked.
"Looks like it," Asher said, his usual calm voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Aria grinned so wide her cheeks hurt. "This is amazing! I can bug you whenever I want now."
He raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"
"Absolutely," she teased.
But as they laughed, Aria's eyes flicked toward the distant clock tower. Its hands were still frozen at 6:03.
"Asher," she said quietly, her smile fading, "have you noticed? The tower hasn't moved since this morning."
He followed her gaze. For a moment, his face was unreadable. Then he shrugged lightly.
"Yeah. I noticed. Maybe it's just broken."
But something in his tone made Aria think he wasn't convinced.
She tried to laugh it off. "Still… it's kind of creepy."
Asher gave a small smile. "Creepy, maybe. But nothing we can't handle, right?"
"Right," she said, though her voice lacked confidence.
They reached their doors at the same time.
"See you tomorrow, neighbor," Asher said with a little wave before disappearing into his house.
Aria lingered outside a moment longer. The street was still too quiet. She clutched the strap of her backpack, her heart beating faster than it should.
Because for the first time, she realized something.
The bread that stayed warm.
The silent streets.
The frozen clock tower.
They weren't just coincidences.
Something was happening.
And it had already begun.