Aria's POV
Monday came faster than I wanted it to.
My alarm rang at exactly six, its sound sharp and unforgiving. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, my heart already beating too fast. First day at a new school. New faces. New rules. New everything.
I forced myself up.
The mirror reflected someone who looked calm on the outside but felt anything but. I chose my outfit carefully nothing too loud, nothing too dull. A simple skirt, a tucked-in top, clean sneakers. I wanted to blend in, not disappear.
Mom watched me from the doorway while I fixed my hair.
"You'll do great," she said softly.
"I hope so," I replied.
She hugged me before I left, the kind of hug that reminded me I wasn't completely alone in this.
---
The school gate was already crowded when I arrived. Laughter echoed everywhere. Groups stood together like they had known each other forever.
Then I saw Mia.
She waved the moment her eyes met mine, weaving through the crowd until she reached me.
"You made it!" she said brightly. "You look good."
"Thanks," I said, relieved. "I was so nervous I almost turned back."
She laughed. "Not happening. Come on, I'll show you around before the bell rings."
---
The school was bigger than I expected. Hallways stretched endlessly, lockers lining the walls like a maze.
"Okay," Mia began, slipping easily into guide mode, "this is the admin office. Avoid unless you're in trouble."
I smiled.
"That hallway?" she pointed. "Teachers' offices. Quiet zone."
We passed groups of students some loud, some calm, some who looked like they owned the place.
"And those girls?" Mia leaned in. "Not bad people, just… dramatic. Best observed from a distance."
I nodded, committing everything to memory.
She introduced me to a few people along the way.
"This is Tasha," she said, gesturing to a girl with braids and a bright smile. "She's cool."
Tasha waved. "You're the new girl? Welcome."
Everyone seemed friendly enough, but I stayed close to Mia, grateful for her presence.
---
As we turned a corner, the atmosphere changed.
The noise softened. Conversations paused.
Mia slowed slightly.
"Okay," she whispered, "now we're entering… dangerous territory."
I frowned. "What does that mean?"
She smirked. "Popular guy zone."
Before I could ask more, she continued.
"There are three of them," she said. "Everyone calls them the trio."
My curiosity sparked. "Why?"
"Because they're always together. Always."
She glanced ahead. "And because they're trouble."
I followed her gaze.
Three boys stood near the lockers, completely relaxed, like the school revolved around them. They were laughing about something, confident and effortless.
"That's Leo," she whispered. "The tall one. Captain of the football team. Charming, smiles a lot."
I noticed how easily people gravitated toward him.
"The one leaning against the locker is Kai," she continued. "Quiet, mysterious. Girls swear he's different."
"And the last one," she added, lowering her voice, "is Noah. Funny, confident, knows exactly how good-looking he is."
I swallowed.
"They're players?" I asked.
Mia nodded. "Big time. Very hot. Very charming. Every girl's dream boyfriend."
"And every girl thinks she'll be the one to change them," she added dryly.
I looked away quickly when Leo glanced in our direction.
"Rule number one," Mia said firmly, "don't get involved."
"I wasn't planning to," I replied, heat creeping up my neck.
She laughed. "That's what they all say."
---
The bell rang, sharp and loud.
"Come on," she said. "We have the same first class."
As we walked, I felt overwhelmed but not lost. Not anymore.
I wasn't invisible.
I wasn't alone.
And even though the school felt unfamiliar, something told me this was only the beginning of a story much bigger than I imagined.
---
Inside the classroom
The classroom smelled faintly of chalk and polished floors, the kind of smell that instantly reminded me that this place would be my life for the next few months maybe years. Rows of desks filled the room, some already occupied, others waiting quietly like they didn't know what kind of students would claim them.
Mia led me in confidently.
"Sit here," she said, pointing to a seat beside hers, close to the window. "Best spot. You can pretend to stare outside when class gets boring."
I smiled, grateful, and slid into the chair. The desk felt smooth under my fingers, still unmarked, like it hadn't been claimed by anyone yet.
Students continued filing in, their voices blending into a constant hum. Some laughed loudly, others talked in hushed tones. I noticed how easily everyone seemed to belong like they already knew where to sit, who to talk to, who to ignore.
I adjusted my bag under the desk, suddenly very aware of myself.
Mia leaned closer. "Don't worry. First day is always weird."
I nodded.
A girl in front of us turned around. "You must be the new student."
"Yes," I said softly.
"I'm Tasha," she said with a smile. "You'll be fine here."
"Thanks," I replied, feeling a little more at ease.
---
The bell rang, cutting through the chatter. Almost immediately, everyone hurried to their seats. A few seconds later, the teacher walked in a tall woman with glasses and a firm expression.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma'am," everyone replied.
She wrote her name on the board before turning around. "We have a new student joining us today."
My heart skipped.
"Aria," she said, scanning the room. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"
Every eye turned toward me.
I stood slowly, my palms slightly sweaty. "Good morning. My name is Aria. I just moved here, and I hope we get along."
It was simple. Too simple. But it was all I could manage.
"Welcome, Aria," the teacher said. "You may sit."
As I lowered myself back into my seat, I felt a mix of relief and embarrassment. Mia gave me a small thumbs-up under the desk.
---
The lesson began, but it was hard to focus. Pens scratched against paper, pages flipped, whispers floated around. I copied notes carefully, trying to ground myself in the routine.
Halfway through the class, Mia leaned over and scribbled something on a piece of paper before sliding it toward me.
You're doing great.
I smiled without looking at her.
My gaze drifted around the room, taking everything in the posters on the walls, the clock ticking steadily, the students pretending to pay attention.
Then I noticed the empty seats at the back.
Three desks, side by side.
A moment later, the door opened quietly, and the trio from the hallway stepped in like they weren't late at all.
The teacher paused. "You're late."
Leo smiled politely. "Sorry, ma'am."
She sighed but waved them to their seats.
As they sat down, the atmosphere shifted. Girls straightened in their chairs. Whispers spread like wildfire.
I kept my eyes on my notebook.
Mia leaned in again. "Told you."
I swallowed.
For the rest of the class, I focused on my notes, but I couldn't ignore the feeling that something had changed. Not dramatically. Not obviously.
Just enough to make my chest feel tight.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, everyone stood at once.
Mia stretched. "See? First class done."
I exhaled. "That wasn't as bad as I thought."
She smiled. "Told you. Next class will be easier."
As we gathered our things, I felt it again that strange sense that this school, these people, were slowly weaving themselves into my life.
And this was only the beginning.