I walked down the stairs slowly, hands in my pockets.
Not thinking about the blast. Not anymore.
It happened far away, in another country. Shocking, yes—but here, life had already moved on. Some people still talked about it, some pretended to care, but most were busy with their own lives. That's how it always was.
Right now, my mind was on something else.
The new student.
A girl rejected by every section and dropped into ours like a bad joke fate decided to play.
As I reached the middle of the stairs, I noticed a couple standing near the railing. Too close. Whispering. Smiling. Their world small and private.
I slowed.
For a moment, my chest felt… strange.
Kiefer.
I hadn't told him yet. Not clearly. Not properly.
I had joked, avoided, teased—but never said it out loud.
That I wanted us to be together.
I shook my head and continued walking.
How to tell him , everytime I try someone intrupted ugh!
Focus, Jay.
"Jay."
My steps froze.
I turned slowly.
Kiko stood there.
He looked… different. Thinner. Quieter. No arrogance. No confidence. Just someone who had lived through consequences.
For a second, my body tensed on instinct.
He swallowed. "I—uh… I heard you were going to the guidance office."
I nodded once. "Yeah."
He hesitated, then bowed his head slightly. "I just wanted to say… I'm sorry. Again."
I studied his face. No lies. No excuses. Wow feeling like I borrowed some instict from grandpa!
"I know," I said calmly. "You already apologized."
"I just wanted to say it again," he said softly. "I don't expect forgiveness. Just… peace."
I exhaled slowly. "You're free now. Don't waste it."
He nodded, relieved. "Can I walk you there?"
"Sure," I said. "Silence is better company anyway."
We walked together.
"So," he said carefully, "new classmate?"
"That's the rumor."
"whats his name"
I glanced at him. "not his name ask her name "
He looked confused.
"She is a girl."
"Wow another one"
He winced. "Section E doesn't get breaks, huh?"
"Nope."
We reached the office door.
"I'll wait here," he said. "Good luck."
"Thanks," I replied. "Try staying out of trouble this time."
He smiled weakly and stepped back.
I knocked.
"Come in."
The guidance office smelled like paper and old furniture.
The teacher sat behind the desk, flipping through files. "Jay. Sit."
I did.
"She's been reassigned to your section," he said.
I nodded. "I guessed."
Then I felt it.
Someone else was there.
I turned.
She sat near the window.
I looked at her properly this time.
She wasn't tall, but not short either—just… balanced. Slim, not fragile. The kind of posture that didn't try to look confident, yet somehow was. Her shoulders were relaxed, her back straight, like she trusted the space around her.
The hoodie covered part of her face, shadowing her forehead and cheekbones, but not enough to hide her completely. Her skin looked clear, untouched by panic or stress. No forced makeup. No effort to impress.
Her eyes were what caught me.
Dark. Steady. Not sharp, not soft—just aware. The kind of eyes that noticed everything but reacted to nothing. When she looked at someone, it felt like she was listening more than seeing.
Her nose was small and straight, lips calm—neither smiling nor frowning. No dramatic expressions. No fear hiding behind politeness.
She wore a polo shirt tucked neatly into pants, simple and practical.
"Are girls also allowed pants ?"
I asked myself. I'll ask any other time
It's Like she already knew what she needed and didn't need permission for it.
There was something kind about her. Quietly kind.
But not weak.
Not arrogant either.
Just a different kind of presence—one that didn't ask for attention and still got it.
I didn't know her name yet, but I already knew one thing.
She didn't belong to noise.
Noise would have to adjust to her.
[ Jay: hey author! Aren't you making me tell too much about her. it's becoming boring now ! 😂
Author : ofcourse! She is the future of this story . And now shutup, focus on her]
"I'm Jay," I said.
She lifted her head slightly. "Elara Solen."
Full name.
That caught me off guard.
I nodded. "Nice to meet you."
"You don't talk much," I said lightly.
She shook her head. "I talk when needed."
Fair.
I noticed her posture—straight, relaxed. No fear in her hands. No restless movement.
Different attitude.
"Ready?" I asked.
She nodded.
We walked out.
Students passed us, slowed down, stared. Some whispered. Some pretended not to notice.
She ignored all of it.
Then happens what I never want I was taking her so much attention by talking that she bumped into sketch book, I means one and only friend Freya .
"Are you blind" sketch book said.
Before I could do anything ellara ignored her and also make me ignore her , Freya was cursing back and forth but Ellara showed no attention. Wow!
So I carried on my talkativeness
"So," I said, "Section E is loud. Sometimes stupid. Don't take it personally."
"I won't," she replied.
Her voice was soft, but firm.
We stopped in front of the classroom door.
Noise leaked through it. Chaos. Familiar chaos.
"This is it," I said. "Once you enter, life won't be quiet anymore."
She looked at the door. Then at me.
"I can handle noise," she said.
I placed my hand on the handle.
Behind this door—
Section E waited.
And I had a strange feeling…
This girl was not here by accident.