The rest of the school day passed slowly for Sara. After lunch, she and Aiden only shared one more class together—math. Sitting across the room from each other, they exchanged occasional glances and small smiles, but conversation was limited to whispered comments about homework or confusing equations.
The rest of the day, their paths barely crossed. They passed each other in the hallways, offering quick nods or shy smiles, but the bustling crowd and long corridors kept them mostly apart.
By the time the last bell rang, Sara gathered her art supplies and headed to the art room. She had decided to stay late, wanting the quiet to finish a sketch project she'd been working on. The classroom was nearly empty, the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above mixing with the occasional distant sound of students leaving for the day.
As she sketched, a sound drifted down the hallway — a voice singing. Clear, powerful, beautiful.
Sara froze, pencil hovering mid-stroke. She couldn't see who was singing, but the music filled the hallway, making her pause and listen. For several minutes, she stayed still, letting the melody wash over her, feeling chills at the sheer beauty of it.
Then, just as suddenly, the singing stopped. Sara blinked, unsure if she had imagined it.
A few moments later, she glanced up and caught sight of Aiden walking past the art room. He moved quickly, glancing over his shoulder as if checking the hallway, and then disappeared around the corner.
Sara shook her head, thinking it was best not to assume it was him. She didn't know where the music had come from originally — maybe it had been a phone ringtone or something.
She returned to her sketchbook, focusing on her art as the afternoon sun slanted through the classroom windows. The soft scratching of her pencil and the quiet hum of the school were comforting. After finishing the last strokes of her project, she packed up her supplies, feeling satisfied with the work.
As she stepped out of the art room and into the now-empty hallway, she made her way toward the school exit. That's when she saw him — Aiden, standing outside near the curb, leaning slightly against the wall.
A sleek black car waited a few feet away, the engine running silently. Two large men in suits stood nearby, watching the street with quiet intensity.
Aiden noticed her and gave a small wave. "Hey, Sara," he said casually, keeping his tone light.
Sara raised an eyebrow at the car and the suited men. "Uh… is that your Uber?"
He smiled, keeping it casual. "Yeah. My uncle ordered it for me. I'm new here, so… he thought it would be easier than figuring out the town by myself."
Sara chuckled, glancing at the sleek black car. "Wow… your uncle must be rich to order an Uber like that."
Aiden gave a small shrug, smiling faintly. "Yeah… he's… generous."
He opened the back door for her with a polite gesture. "Do you want a lift? I mean… if you're going the same way."
Sara hesitated for a moment but shook her head. "No, thanks. I'm walking. But… thanks for offering."
Aiden gave a small nod and soft smile. "Alright. See you tomorrow then."