Chapter 1:
The sunlight spilled across Millie's bedroom floor like a golden ribbon. She stretched, heart racing with anticipation. Today wasn't just any Monday—it was the first day of high school. New people, new chances… maybe even a chance to start over.
"It's going to be a great day!" she called as she darted through the hallway. "I have to go wake up Rachel!"
She knocked softly, then louder. "Rachel, Rachel—"
"Stop screaming," came a muffled groan from under the covers. "Go get ready. We're gonna be late."
Millie grinned. Rachel was her cousin, best friend, and basically her big sister. Calm, smart, and always had her back.
"Yes, Chef!" Millie saluted, skipping back to her room.
As she buttoned her uniform, her gaze drifted out the window—straight to the neighbouring house. Through the second-story window, she caught a glimpse of Alex, Ted's younger brother. While Ted was friendly and easygoing, Alex was... something else entirely. Quiet. Sharp-eyed. A bit cold. But fascinating.
"Millie! You have one second, or I'm feeding your breakfast to the dog!" Rachel shouted.
"Coming!"
Downstairs, Rachel handed her a folded note. "From your dad."
Millie opened it, lips pressing into a line. Again, a note. Never a call.
"He could've at least called," she muttered.
"At least he wrote," Rachel said, not unkindly. "Now hurry, please. You know I can't be late."
Outside, Ted waited with that familiar boyish grin.
"Hey, Mil!"
"Hey, Teddy! Ready for school?"
He groaned. "It's Ted now. Not Teddy."
"Sure thing, Teddy."
Rachel distanced herself from Ted as they started walking.
"So," Ted asked, "first day—nervous or excited?"
Millie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Excited. Terrified. Both. I just want to meet good people and make friends. '"
"You will meet them," Ted said. "You've got that magnet energy. People like you."
At the school gates, Rachel waved them off toward different classes.
"You'll be fine," Ted said, nudging her. "Homeroom's this way."
Inside the classroom, Millie's nerves kicked in. But her eyes quickly found a familiar face: Alex, by the window, earbuds in. Her heart skipped. Maybe she could sit—
But someone else slid into the seat beside him.
Then, something unexpected.
"I saved this seat for someone," Alex said flatly, not looking up. "You should move."
The girl blinked. "Oh—okay." She moved.
Millie stared, stunned. Had Alex just… defended her?
She took the seat, trying to keep her cool. Before she could say thanks, the teacher walked in.
She kept glancing sideways at him during class, wondering what to say. But when the bell rang, he was already gone.
Out in the hallway, the girl from earlier caught her eye.
"If you're looking for the guy who rejected me," she teased, "he left already."
Millie smiled awkwardly. "Oh… I wasn't looking—"
"He's your boyfriend, right?"
Millie burst out laughing. "What? No! He doesn't even know my name."
The girl grinned, offering a hand. "I'm Liz. Short for Lizette. Want to be friends?"
Before Millie could answer, a hand smacked the back of her head.
"Didn't you say you wanted friends?" Ted teased. "Just say yes already."
Millie laughed. "I was getting there, okay?!"
Liz laughed too. "You two are like a comedy show."
"We aim to please," Millie said. "So… chicken wings or sushi?"
Liz blinked. "Both. Obsessed."
Millie lit up. "Me too, Ted's the same! Especially when he's in a mood."
Ted groaned. "I feel so exposed."
They laughed all the way to lunch.
Later that day, after school:
"See you tomorrow!" Liz called, hopping into her dad's car.
Rachel squeezed Millie. "I have to stay late at school today, I am so sorry. You remember the road right?"
"I'll be fine," Millie said, confident.
But when she turned the corner, someone was waiting by the fence.
Alex.
"Hey," he muttered. "House is this way. Don't get lost."
Millie blinked. "Wait... were you waiting for me?"
He shrugged. "You're a pain, but I'm not about to let you get eaten by the street."
Her cheeks flushed. "Wow. So dramatic."
"Just walk," he said, already turning.
The silence between them stretched, awkward but oddly charged. At her door, she managed a soft "Thanks."
No answer.
That night, as she studied, something pulled her to the window. She looked over.
Alex was there—in his room, guitar in hand, fingers gliding over the strings in a haunting melody.
Beautiful. Unexpected.
Then he glanced up.
Their eyes met.
His face changed—closed.
The curtain dropped.
Millie sat back, stunned, her heart oddly restless.
"I forgot she could see me," he whispered, putting his hands on his forehead.