The hallways of Starlight Academy buzzed louder than usual that Monday morning. Laughter echoed off the polished walls, and snippets of gossip floated like arrows in the air.
Sara could feel the eyes on her as she walked toward her classroom. A hush fell, followed by giggles behind hands.
She clenched her books tighter. What now?
Emily and Hannah stood by the lockers, their voices pitched higher than normal, just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"…honestly, she's so clueless," Emily said, tossing her glossy hair. "She thinks everyone likes her, but really…"
"…they only stay around because of her family's money," Hannah finished with a laugh.
Sara's chest tightened. She wanted to turn, to confront them, but her feet felt heavy, stuck.
Before she could speak, a voice rang out.
"That's enough."
Everyone turned. A girl stepped forward, her expression fierce, her ponytail swinging behind her. She was shorter than Sara but carried herself with boldness that silenced the hall.
Lina Wu.
Sara had seen her before in class, always quick with answers, always laughing with her small circle of friends. They weren't close, but Lina was known for speaking her mind.
Emily blinked, her smile faltering. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Lina said, her eyes sharp. "If you have a problem with Sara, say it to her face instead of clucking like chickens."
Gasps rippled through the hallway. Hannah bristled, but Emily grabbed her arm, forcing a smile. "We were only joking."
Lina crossed her arms. "Then maybe you should work on your sense of humor."
The tension hung heavy until the teacher's voice down the hall broke it. Students scattered, whispering as they went.
Sara stood frozen, stunned.
Lina turned to her, the fierceness fading into a grin. "You don't deserve that. They're not worth your time."
Sara blinked, her throat tight. "Why… why would you defend me?"
"Because it was the right thing to do," Lina said simply. "Besides, I hate bullies."
For the first time in weeks, Sara felt warmth seep into her chest.
Later that day, during lunch, Lina sat beside her without asking. They talked — at first awkwardly, then with surprising ease. Lina told her about her family's small restaurant, her annoying younger brother, her dream of becoming a lawyer. She listened when Sara spoke, really listened, without hidden motives or sharp undertones.
It was different. Refreshing. Real.
Across the cafeteria, Daniel Li sat with his usual calm, his book open even as his classmates chatted around him. At one point, his gaze flicked toward Sara, lingering briefly before dropping back to the page.
Lina nudged Sara's arm. "That guy's interesting. Quiet, but… he looks at you sometimes."
Sara flushed. "No, he doesn't."
But deep down, she knew he did.
And for the first time, between Lina's loyalty and Daniel's silent presence, Sara felt the faintest spark of something she hadn't known in a long time.
Hope.