The school hallways buzzed with chatter and clattering lockers, but for Sarah, it was all background noise. Her headset was plugged in, as always, drowning out the world with echoes of sad beats and broken lyrics. Her curly afro bounced slightly with every step as she walked toward class, hoodie drawn over her head like armor.
But today was different.
When she opened the door to her English Lit class, her heart skipped.
John.
He was there, seated three seats away. Same dark hoodie, same low gaze, same calmness that had disturbed her inner storm that night in the rain.
"No freaking way... he's been in my class all this time?"
Her hands got clammy.
She walked to her seat, slowly, carefully. Not looking at him. Pretending like it didn't matter. Like her heart wasn't running a full-on gymnastics competition in her chest.
He looked up.
"Hey," he said, smiling like it was just a regular Monday.
It's not. It's never been.
Sarah froze. For a moment, the voices in her head started again.
> "He's just being nice. Don't embarrass yourself."
"He probably pities you."
"What if he's like the others, just faking it?"
But she managed a small, shaky, "Hi," barely audible beneath her breath. It was the most effort she had used speaking to a boy in weeks. Maybe months.
---
đź“ť In Class...
Miss Evelyn was already talking about Shakespeare and tragic flaws, but Sarah couldn't concentrate. John sat so casually, flipping through his notes, while she felt like she was about to implode.
Midway through the class, he leaned toward her, whispering, "Are you okay? You seem... somewhere else."
Sarah blinked.
Was that worry in his voice?
Was he... real?
"I'm fine," she whispered, clutching her pen like it was a sword. "Just... my brain is loud today."
John didn't laugh. He didn't act weird. He just gave a soft nod like he got it. Like he actually understood.
"You listen to music, right?" he asked.
Sarah nodded.
"What are you listening to these days?"
She hesitated, unsure if she'd sound strange.
"Mostly... Juice WRLD. Billie. Sad stuff. Stuff that matches the inside of my head."
John looked thoughtful.
"I get that. I listen to music that makes my silence feel less alone."
Sarah blinked again. He gets it? Like... really gets it?
---
After Class Hallway
"Hey, Sarah?" His voice called out behind her as she tried to escape to her locker.
She turned, slowly.
"Would you... maybe wanna hang out after school? Nothing major. Just... music. I have a keyboard at home, and... I suck. You could judge me."
Sarah blinked. Again.
"I—um—maybe."
John smiled. Not cocky. Not pushy. Just... soft.
"Cool. No pressure. Just thought I'd ask."
He walked off, leaving Sarah stunned, staring at her locker.
Then Carly appeared, popping a strawberry gum bubble.
"Girl... what was THAT about?"
Sarah shrugged, trying to hide her smile.
"I don't know... he's just "
" Different?"
Sarah nodded.
Carly raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"You like him."
"No, I just "
"Uh-uh, don't even. I've seen that look. You've got the soft-girl blushing aura going on."
Sarah giggled, despite herself. It felt weird. Laughing.
Like hope... might actually be allowed.
---
📱 Later That Night...
In her room, wrapped in her giant blanket, she recorded another voice note. Not a song this time. A journal entry.
> "Day 67 of overthinking everything.
Today, a boy said hello and it felt like someone opened a window in my brain.
He's calm. Like rain. Like an umbrella.
I don't know what this means yet, but I didn't hate myself today. That's... something.
Also, Carly thinks I like him. I don't. I mean, maybe? Ugh. Shut up, brain."
She stopped recording and stared at the ceiling.
Then she smiled.
Just a little.
And hit play on the instrumental she saved last week. The one that made her feel alive.
---