Opening Day (2014)
The late-summer sun of September 2014 spilled through the tall windows of Linhua High School, casting a golden haze over the freshly scrubbed hallways. The chatter of students filled the corridors—some anxious, some excited—each voice blending into the collective hum of a new school year. Posters about upcoming festivals fluttered slightly in the breeze from a propped-open door, and the faint scent of chalk mixed with floor polish hung in the air.
Shiyu adjusted the strap of her bag as she stepped into Class 2–3. Her heart beat with a mixture of nerves and quiet anticipation. Second year. A new beginning, a new classroom, and, hopefully, new memories worth keeping. She paused for a second at the doorway, her gaze sweeping over the familiar desks lined neatly in rows.
Inside, a boy had already claimed a seat near the window. The sunlight caught the edges of his profile—sharp yet calm. His posture was relaxed, almost careless, but there was something about the way he looked outside, as if the entire bustling classroom were no more than background noise. His name, she would soon learn, was Yichen.
For a fleeting moment, Shiyu's breath caught. She didn't know why her eyes lingered, only that they did. Something about his quietness drew her in like a thread pulling gently at the corner of her heart. She quickly looked away, scolding herself for staring.
"Shiyu! Here!"
A cheerful voice broke her daze. It was Li Chenyue, her longtime friend, waving enthusiastically from the middle row. Chenyue had already spread her notebooks across the desk as if staking her claim on the territory. Shiyu hurried over, slipping into the seat beside her.
"You're late," Chenyue teased, though her grin was warm.
"I'm not," Shiyu replied softly. "The bell hasn't even rung."
Before Chenyue could argue, their homeroom teacher, Mr. Xu Wen, strode in with his usual brisk energy. "Settle down, everyone," he called, clapping his hands. "We'll start the year by assigning seats."
Groans and whispers rippled across the room—nobody liked having their carefully chosen spots disrupted. Mr. Xu raised an eyebrow, silencing them. One by one, he began reading names, pointing to desks as though arranging chess pieces.
"Zhao Rui, front row. Zhou Minghao, behind him."
"Li Chenyue… middle row, left side."
"Fang Shiyu… next to Li Chenyue."
Shiyu exhaled in relief. She didn't like being separated from Chenyue. But when Mr. Xu continued, her attention drifted back to the boy at the window.
"Wang Yichen," Mr. Xu said, glancing at his list, "take the seat by the window, second row."
So that was his name. Yichen. It rolled in Shiyu's mind, quiet yet strong, like a hidden current beneath still water. She tucked it away secretly, as if it were something precious.
As the morning went on, introductions circled around. Some students recited ambitions, others made jokes, earning bursts of laughter. When Yichen's turn came, he stood with unhurried grace.
"…Yichen. I transferred here." His voice was low, almost careless, but it carried. He didn't elaborate, simply returned to his seat. That single sentence left the room buzzing with curiosity.
"Cool and mysterious," whispered a girl named He Xinyi, nudging her friend. Her eyes sparkled as they followed him, and Shiyu noticed the way several classmates—girls especially—leaned in with sudden interest.
By the time the final bell rang for lunch, Chenyue had already gathered a small circle of friends to eat with. She tugged Shiyu along, pulling her toward the rooftop where students often sat to catch the breeze.
On the rooftop, the group quickly took shape: Fang Shiyu, Li Chenyue, Zhao Rui—the chatterbox of the class—Zhou Minghao, whose laughter was loud and contagious, and, surprisingly, Wang Yichen, who had followed quietly behind them.
"Since it's the first day," Zhao Rui declared, tearing into his bread roll, "let's make this our spot! We'll be the rooftop group."
"Sounds childish," Minghao scoffed, though his smile betrayed him.
"It's fine," Chenyue said brightly. "Friends need a place."
Yichen leaned against the railing, silent. The wind lifted his hair slightly, his gaze distant. Though he said nothing, his presence anchored the group in an odd way—like a quiet center holding them all together.
Shiyu found herself stealing glances. Each time she looked, her chest fluttered, though she quickly turned back to Chenyue or Zhao Rui's noisy chatter. It was ridiculous. She barely knew him. And yet…
As the afternoon classes began, Shiyu sat in her desk, her notebook open but her thoughts elsewhere. She scolded herself—Don't be silly. He's just another classmate. But her hand had already written his name absentmindedly in the corner of the page.
When the dismissal bell finally rang, the classroom filled with the rustle of bags and hurried footsteps. Students called to one another, making plans to stop for snacks or walk home together.
Shiyu lingered, sliding her books carefully into her bag. Yichen passed by her row on his way out. Their eyes met for a fleeting second. His expression was unreadable, calm as still water. And then he was gone.
Her heart thudded, echoing in the quiet room. She pressed her hand lightly against her chest, a secret smile tugging at her lips. It's only the first day, she told herself. But maybe… maybe this year will be different.
Outside, the September sky of 2014 stretched wide and endless, as though holding all the possibilities of youth.