The next session was English. The teacher, with a warm smile and hopeful tone, decided to split the class into small groups so the students could get to know one another better. Iris had been excited—she thought she'd spend the time chatting with Hazel, discussing theories and clues from their favorite books. But luck wasn't on her side. Hazel was placed in another group, and just like that, Iris's enthusiasm vanished.
Iris glanced at her group: three boys—Noah, Leo, and James. She was the only girl. Great.
Still, one of the names caught her attention. Noah. She squinted at him for a second. Of course—he went to the same middle school as her. He hadn't changed much. He was still tall, quiet, with long wavy hair that almost touched his eyes. There was something effortlessly attractive about him, even though he always acted distant. Especially with girls.
He noticed her looking. She tilted her head and said with a small smile, "Hello, Noah, it's been a while, hasn't it?"
Noah blinked, uninterested. "Do I know you?"
Iris's mouth dropped open slightly. She stared at him, waiting for him to remember.
A second passed. Then another. Finally, Noah gasped softly as something clicked. "You're that girl who used to come to our classroom to eat my food."
Iris burst out laughing. "Why would you put it that way? As if I was stealing it. Your mom's cooking was amazing, even I couldn't resist it. Since we're in the same class this year, I won't need to go hunting you down at lunchtime anymore. I'll have Lucas try your food too."
Noah rolled his eyes but a small smirk played on his lips.
After that, Iris turned her attention to the other two boys. Leo and James introduced themselves—turns out they'd gone to the same middle school, just not hers. They seemed friendly enough, but Iris wasn't really in the mood for small talk.
Without Hazel or Lucas by her side, the session dragged. Bored, Iris pulled out her copy of Crooked House by Agatha Christie and started rereading the parts she'd underlined. Everyone in that story had a motive. No one had an alibi. Suspicion was everywhere. And just like that, she was absorbed again, solving a fictional murder case in her mind.
Yes, this was far better than awkward group introductions. Though, maybe not quite as satisfying as a bag of strawberry marshmallows.
The weather was unbearable. The heat pressed down on Iris like a heavy blanket, making every step feel harder than the last. She'd always preferred the cold—rainy skies, wind, and winter coats. This sun-soaked day was the opposite of everything she liked. Climbing up and down the endless stairs of the school, from math to art class, was exhausting. The building was huge, and most of the classrooms were on the third or even fourth floor. Her legs were sore, her head dizzy.
But what bothered her most wasn't the heat or the stairs. It was that she still hadn't gotten to talk properly with Hazel. That made her heart sink more than the weather ever could. For a second, she regretted even coming to school that morning. She sighed and muttered to herself, "If I stayed home, I wouldn't be this tired..." But then she shook her head quickly. "No. If I stayed home, I wouldn't have met Hazel. No, no, no."
The final session was biology. Their teacher was usually calm and easygoing, but when he got angry, the whole class fell silent. His voice, normally warm, could suddenly fill the room with sharpness. Today was one of those days. Iris wasn't surprised. Even in an elite high school like this—meant for students who had studied hard and earned their place—there were still some who didn't care. And at this school, if you didn't care, you didn't stay. Failing students were expelled without hesitation.
When the bell finally rang, Iris stretched her arms and said with a grin, "Finally, no more classes. Time to hang out." But her smile faded as she looked down at the tiled floor. Her thoughts drifted again—Where's Mykel? She wanted to see him, but had no idea where he might be.
As she stood there lost in her thoughts, a familiar voice whispered in her ear, "What's with the long face?"
She turned quickly—Lucas. She blinked and tried to smile. "Nothing, just... thinking about this and that."
Lucas grinned. "Wanna come to the café with me and Hazel? I was in her group during English class. Turns out she's into Agatha Christie too. Looks like the three of us have a lot to talk about."
Iris's face lit up. "Wait, let me call my mom first. I have to tell her I'll be late."
A short while later, Iris joined Lucas and Hazel at a cozy café just outside the school. The moment she stepped in, her eyes caught a familiar figure. Her heart skipped a beat. Wait... is that—?
Yes. It was Mykel.
But he wasn't alone.
He was sitting with a girl Iris had never seen before. There was something about the way they sat close, the way the girl laughed at everything he said. Iris's mind began to race. Are they...? No, no way. Not dating... right?
Just as she tried to piece it together, Mykel spotted her. "Iris!" he called out.
Caught off guard, she had no choice but to walk over.
"Hey Iris," he said casually. "Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Sophia."
Girlfriend?
Iris's world spun. She forced a smile, even though she could feel the sting behind her eyes. "Nice to meet you, Sophia. I'm Iris. I used to be in the same class as your boyfriend." She paused, then added, "Sorry, my friends are waiting for me. I have to go."
Without waiting for a reply, Iris turned around and walked straight to Hazel. She wrapped her arms around her tightly and whispered, "Let's get out of here."
Hazel, completely confused, exchanged glances with Lucas. They both followed Iris out of the café, worried by the look in her eyes.
Tears streamed down Iris's cheeks. She didn't even remember what she'd said to Mykel or Sophia. It all blurred together.
Lucas walked beside her and asked gently, "Are you okay? If you need to talk... I'm all ears."
Hazel nodded, placing a hand on Iris's shoulder.
Through quiet sobs, Iris explained everything—the shock, the sadness, the confusion. And they listened. Carefully. Patiently.
Lucas looked at Hazel. "I think we're thinking the same thing."
Hazel nodded, then reached into her bag and pulled out a book.
"Hallowe'en Party," she said softly.
By Agatha Christie, of course.
Iris blinked. The tears slowed. She stared at the book like it was magic. Maybe it was.
Her whole attitude shifted in a heartbeat. She straightened up, wiped the last tear from her cheek, and with a spark of determination in her voice, she said, "Yes, this year I'm going to find myself a new crush. Maybe I'll even start dating. Goodbye, Mykel."
That was it.
Iris went back home with her head held high. She had already made up her mind—Mykel's name, his face, his memory—she would erase it all. Completely. She didn't want to carry him into her future, not even as a shadow.
No looking back. No second thoughts.
Just Iris, ready to turn the page.
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