The first bell of the new session echoed through the corridors of St. Mary's High, carrying with it the nervous chatter of fresh faces and the familiar laughter of old friends. The classrooms smelled of new books and polished desks, the kind of scent that always promised new beginnings.
Aria stood at the doorway of Class 9, clutching her bag strap, scanning the room for a seat. The sun filtered through the tall windows, throwing golden patches of light across the floor.
That's when she saw him.
Adrian was leaning back casually on the last bench, earphones dangling around his neck, one leg stretched forward like he owned the place. His eyes met hers for the briefest moment, sharp yet curious, before flicking back to his notebook.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Aria asked, pointing to the empty chair beside him.
Adrian glanced up, smirk tugging at his lips.
"Depends. Do you snore during class?"
She blinked, caught off guard, before laughing.
"No. But I talk a lot."
"Perfect," he said, shifting his bag aside. "I don't like boring people anyway."
That small exchange turned into whispered comments during lectures, shared jokes about teachers, and stolen glances across the classroom. By the end of the week, they were already inseparable—partners in mischief, allies in boredom, and slowly, without even realizing it, best friends.
To Aria, it felt like the start of a new life.
To Adrian, it was just the beginning of something he couldn't yet name.