The next morning, the memory of his face was still lingering in her mind like the scent of old perfume—faint, comforting, but impossible to ignore. Sara sat at the breakfast table, absently stirring her cereal. Her brother was talking animatedly to their mom about his football tryouts, and once again, Sara's presence was barely acknowledged.
But for the first time in a while, she didn't care.
Because her mind was far from home.
It was stuck in a moment—his moment. The way he had entered that classroom like a breeze, the easy way he smiled, the way his laugh had filled her like a breath she didn't know she was holding. There had been something surreal about him, something warm that reached deep into places in her heart that had long gone cold.
She didn't know his name.
She didn't know his class.
She didn't even know if he'd ever notice her.
But she knew this much—
That boy had become the brightest speck in her world.
---
In class, her pen hovered over her notebook, but her thoughts refused to stay in the lines.
Yumi leaned in, whispering, "Still thinking about Mr. Tall-Dark-Handsome?"
Sara didn't deny it. "I can't get him out of my head, Yumi. I literally saw him for like five seconds, and it feels like… I've known him before. That's weird, right?"
Yumi smirked. "Girl, this is some K-drama level stuff."
Sara chuckled under her breath. "What if I never see him again?"
"You will," Yumi said confidently. "The universe wouldn't tease you like that."
Sara wasn't so sure. Life had never really been generous with her wishes.
But that day, something shifted.
---
It was during lunch when she saw him again.
Yumi nudged her elbow sharply. "There. That's him, right?"
Sara looked up and her heart thumped in her chest. There he was—walking casually through the corridor outside their classroom. His schoolbag swung low from one shoulder, his hair ruffled like he'd just run a hand through it. And he was laughing with his friends, that same carefree laugh she now associated with light itself.
He didn't look into the class. But his friends did.
All of them.
Like a wave, a group of boys leaned toward the windows, peering inside like they were looking for something. For someone.
Sara froze, a sandwich halfway to her lips.
Yumi gawked. "Okay, what the hell? Are they looking at—you?"
Sara choked slightly. "Don't say that."
But it was undeniable. Their eyes were on her.
And then she saw him—Aarav. She didn't know his name yet, but it would echo in her bones soon enough.
He didn't look at her directly. He just walked by, hands in pockets, eyes focused ahead. His jaw was set like he was trying very hard not to look her way. But something about it felt... rehearsed. Deliberate.
"He's pretending to be cool," Yumi whispered, giggling. "And failing miserably."
Sara buried her burning face in her hands.
---
That became their unspoken ritual.
He would pass by. She would look. He would pretend he didn't see. But sometimes—just sometimes—his eyes would flick to the side. Quick. Barely a glance. But enough.
It became the highlight of her day.
And when he didn't pass by—when the window remained empty—her heart felt like it had forgotten how to beat.
---
One week later, he didn't show up at all.
No corridor glance. No passing footsteps. No group of boys hovering around.
Sara sat through the day distracted, heart heavy.
After school, as she walked with Yumi under the overcast sky, her voice was quieter than usual.
"I miss him, Yumi. Is that stupid? I don't even know him."
"No," Yumi said gently. "It's not stupid. It's just love knocking on your heart in a strange costume."
Sara laughed, but there was no joy in it.
---
That night, she lay in bed, the darkness folding around her like a second skin. And when she closed her eyes, his face came to her. Not as a dream. As a memory she never made but somehow remembered.
She clutched her pillow, eyes stinging.
"I miss him so much it hurts," she whispered to herself.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Yumi.
> "I think you're in love, Sara. And I think it's beautiful."
She didn't reply.
Just hugged her pillow tighter.
And let the feelings bloom like roses in her chest.
---
To be continued in Chapter Three