It was Iris's first year of high school. She had been accepted as one of the honor students, along with a few of her closest friends. The freshman class had been divided into nine separate sections, and Iris had been placed in Class 8.
She was an extroverted girl - cheerful, expressive, and full of life. A true social butterfly. With soft, curly brown hair and a sweet smile, she carried a quiet charm. She wasn't particularly tall, but not quite short either - somewhere in between.
The year before, she had developed a crush on a boy named Mykel. She had planned to confess her feelings by the end of the school year, but when the time came, she found herself too shy to go through with it. Mykel was tall, quiet, and effortlessly charming - many girls liked him, but he had turned them all down.
This year, on the very first day of school, Iris was chatting with a classmate from the previous year when, unexpectedly, Mykel walked up and joined their conversation. Just like that, Iris felt the familiar flutter in her chest. It seemed she was falling for him all over again.
Later that morning, during the first period, Iris arrived late to class. The school was large and unfamiliar, and she'd gotten completely lost trying to find her way. The teacher gave her a sharp look and scolded her for being tardy. Flustered, she scanned the room for an empty seat and slid into the one next to a boy she didn't recognize. His name was Lucas. He had blond hair and delicate, almost angelic features - so much so that he looked more like a character from a story than a real person. Like Iris, he was friendly and outgoing, and they connected right away. Before long, they were laughing like old friends.
The session began, and the teacher asked the students to introduce themselves, each sharing the name of the middle school they had previously attended. One by one, voices filled the room - some hesitant, others confident - and before anyone realized, the period had passed in the blink of an eye.
Later that day, the third-year students announced they would be hosting a welcome party in honor of the first-years - a gesture of celebration after the effort and determination it took to gain admission into the school. The entrance exams had been no small feat, and everyone knew it. Iris, however, wasn't particularly fond of parties or loud gatherings. Instead of attending, she made her way back to her former middle school. She had always held her teachers there in high regard - they had guided her through difficult times and played a significant role in helping her improve her grades. She missed them, and the thought of seeing them again warmed her heart.
Just as she was on her way, a familiar voice called out to her. It was Isla - a girl who had attended the same middle school as Iris. Isla had noticed where Iris was headed and invited herself along. Though Iris accepted the offer, she did so reluctantly. She had never liked Isla much; she found her spoiled demeanor off-putting, especially the way she judged others and carried herself as though the world were beneath her. Still, declining the invitation would've been more trouble than it was worth, so the two girls walked there together.
Upon arriving at the school, Iris stopped in her tracks. There, as if conjured from memory, stood Mykel. She blinked, almost unsure if she was seeing right - but yes, it was him. He turned toward her with a smirk and gestured for her to come over.
"I just saw your favorite teacher," he said, casually. "Remember how much you admired them?"
Before she could respond, he added with a mischievous grin, "You were quite the crybaby last year. I still remember you hugging them while crying your eyes out."
Iris flushed. "Please don't remind me of my dark past, Mykel. You're embarrassing me."
He chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. "Oh, the princess is mad now."
And with that, he laughed softly and turned away, waving a hand as he walked off. "I'm going to hang out with my friends. It's been a while since we've seen each other," he called over his shoulder.
The day had already been full of emotion for Iris - unexpected meetings, old memories, and a sense of nostalgia wrapped in the crisp air of a new beginning. When evening came and there were no school activities scheduled, she decided to walk home. The sun had dipped low in the sky, painting the streets in a golden hue. Exhausted from the day's events, she barely had the energy to eat before collapsing into bed, falling into sleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
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Morning arrived quicker than Iris had expected. As she opened her eyes and stretched beneath her blanket, a familiar rhythm settled over her - the routine of waking early, getting dressed, and rushing to school. Oddly enough, she'd missed it. There was something comforting about slipping back into the ordinary flow of student life.
The first period on her schedule was physical education, but with the gymnasium still under reconstruction, the class had been unofficially canceled. With nothing to do, Iris wandered the quiet corridors until she found an empty classroom. She slipped inside, put on her headphones, and rested her head on the desk. The early morning still left her drowsy, and she hoped to steal a few minutes of sleep.
But just as she was beginning to drift off, the door creaked open. A girl stepped in - quiet, reserved, and familiar. It was Hazel, one of her classmates. Iris straightened up and pulled off her headphones. With a bright smile, she extended her hand and said, "You're Hazel, aren't you? Oh my god, it's so nice to meet you. I'm Iris."
Hazel looked startled for a moment, her wide eyes blinking with surprise. She was a shy girl, unused to initiating conversation, and Iris's warm, confident greeting seemed to put her instantly at ease. Her lips curved into a small smile, and her eyes lit up.
She took the seat beside Iris and, after a brief pause, asked softly, "Do you like books?"
It was a question Iris could never resist. Her love for mystery and thrillers ran deep - Agatha Christie novels had long been her secret escape, her personal portal to a world of cunning detectives and unsolved crimes. The name alone brought a spark to her expression.
"Agatha?" she said, turning to Hazel with interest.
Hazel gasped, delighted. She reached out and clasped Iris's hand, her voice suddenly full of life. "Iris, you're perfect! I never would've guessed you were into mysteries - I'm honestly surprised, but in the best way! Have you read The A.B.C. Murders? When the killer chooses his victims alphabetically-"
And just like that, Hazel came alive. The timid girl who rarely spoke was replaced by someone vibrant, passionate, and endlessly talkative. She couldn't stop - discussing Poirot, dissecting plots, recalling her favorite scenes. Iris listened, amused and enchanted by this unexpected side of her new friend. Two hours passed without either of them noticing.
As the next class approached, Iris turned to Hazel with a smile. "Hey, sit next to me in the next session, yeah?"
Hazel nodded, still glowing from their conversation. Iris had no idea that what would happen in that session would change everything.
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