The first day of school smelled like new books and nervous energy. Anna kept her bag close, moving quietly through the crowded hallways, unnoticed by everyone but observing everything. She had memorized the route to her classroom, but her eyes kept drifting and then she saw him. Standing by the lockers, perfect and calm, like he didn't belong in the chaos of the hallway.
Something about him felt familiar… and wrong,but she couldn't pinpoint it
then she remembered her auntie's words , "Anna be careful as you are going to this school you never know who is who cause not everyone is who they seem to be" her warning to be careful she even asked her why she had said those but her she got no reply so Anna just guessed that her aunt must just be worried about her besides today is her first day at high school and her aunt is like a mother to her .
She forced her gaze away and continued toward her classroom, but her eyes kept drifting back. The hallway was alive with chatter and movement, but her attention clung to him like a shadow she couldn't shake. Students brushed past her; some whispered about teachers, others about schedules, but she barely registered them. Her sanctuary was her notebook, the lines and ink providing a quiet anchor in a day that already felt slightly off.
Lunch came, and with it, the chaotic mix of students spilling into the cafeteria. Anna's two friends Lily and Linda found her quickly. Lily who is bubbly and a talkative, laughed as she nudged Anna toward a table. The other, quiet but loyal , offered a small smile, sensing Anna's distraction. "You're staring again," Lily teased nodding toward him across the room. Anna's stomach lurched, but she said nothing, keeping her focus on the open notebook in front of her.
Lily and Linda had been Anna's friends since preschool, their bond unshakable despite the chaos of high school hallways. Lily, the talkative one, had a round, almost baby-faced charm that made people smile the moment they saw her. Her honey-brown hair curled softly at the ends, bouncing with every gesture as she chatted non-stop, her wide eyes always sparkling with mischief and curiosity.
Linda, her twin, was quieter, more composed — a gentle counterbalance to Lily's constant energy. Her hair was the same shade, silky and straight, falling neatly past her shoulders, framing a more angular, thoughtful face. While Lily's expressions were loud and immediate, Linda's were subtle, her smiles slower, her eyes observant, like she noticed everything Anna sometimes missed. Together, they were a perfect pair: two halves of the same whole, always looking out for Anna, always easy to spot in any crowd.
Anna, on the other hand, carried a beauty that seemed otherworldly, impossible to ignore. Her hair was a natural blend of soft chestnut and golden streaks, shimmering subtly in the light, a color she had been born with and could never change — as if sunlight had woven itself into her strands. Her eyes were an unusual shade of pale amber, luminous and almost ethereal, holding a calm intensity that made it feel as though she could see the truth behind every person she met. Her skin glowed with a soft, warm radiance, flawless and delicate, giving her an angelic aura that contrasted with the lively charm of Lily and Linda. Where the twins were bright and approachable, Anna was serene and mysterious, a quiet presence that lingered in the mind long after she had passed by.
Anna slid into the seat between Lily and Linda, her tray balanced carefully in her hands. Lily grinned immediately, nudging her gently. "Finally! Thought you'd wander off into a book and forget lunch," she teased, her curls bouncing with every word. Linda offered a small smile, her calm eyes studying Anna quietly as always. "How's Auntie?" she asked softly, glancing at her friend with genuine concern.
Anna shrugged lightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "She's fine. She packed my lunch as usual… made me promise not to get lost in the crowd today." Her fingers traced the edge of her tray as she spoke, a habit she had when she was thinking. "She worries too much sometimes," Anna added, though her heart warmed at the thought of her aunt's care.
"You're too quiet, Anna," Lily chattered, leaning closer. "I bet you're still staring at him." Anna froze slightly, her gaze flicking to the far side of the cafeteria where he had been, though he was nowhere in sight. Ethan. Even now, the memory of the first glimpse down the hallway lingered in her chest, a strange, tight pull she couldn't explain.
"I…" Anna hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He… there's something about him. I don't know why, but it feels like I've seen him before, like… in a dream or something. It's weird, but I can't stop thinking about it." She looked down at her tray, her fingers twisting the edge of the napkin as a flush crept across her cheeks.
Lily's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You've got a crush! Finally, our quiet angel notices someone." She nudged Anna playfully. Linda, however, stayed silent, her expression thoughtful as she glanced at Anna. "Maybe it's more than that," she said quietly. "Something about him seems… different, doesn't it?"
Anna nodded slightly, unsure herself. Different. Yes, that was exactly it. There was a calm, untouchable air about him, like he didn't belong to the ordinary chaos of the school, yet something inside her insisted he was connected to her in a way she couldn't explain. Her gaze drifted toward the hallway entrance, half-expecting him to appear — and a tiny whisper in her mind wondered whether the dreams had really been trying to warn her, or guide her, toward him.