This story is a work of my imagination. I hope you like it.
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♡
It was an ordinary morning at Elite High School, two months after the school year had begun.
The sun shone behind the clouds, and students crowded at the main gate—some rushing to avoid being late, others dragging their feet as if pulling a mountain.
The morning started quietly, but Lavinia never really knew the meaning of quiet.
She stood at the school gate, her hands clasped together, her face full of excitement—or perhaps nervousness.
"Laviniiiiaaa!"
A soft, gentle voice—like a breeze—made her turn immediately.
"Mira, stop shouting, that's my job!"
Mira laughed as she ran toward her, her bag swinging playfully, her face glowing with an innocence uncommon among the other students.
Before they could finish their greetings, a familiar voice came from behind them:
"Oh, good morning, Giraffe."
Lavinia rolled her eyes slowly, as if preparing for battle.
"And has the rabid dog finally arrived?"
Mira laughed again, standing between the two of them as if trying to prevent an incoming war.
As for Michael, with his handsome face and athletic height, he simply smiled.
"At least I don't look like the Eiffel Tower when I walk."
"Ahhh, look who's here—the basketball freak!"
The trio continued on their way, bickering and laughing all the while.
Lavinia was used to this routine… but today, she felt something different.
Maybe that's why her thoughts began to drift, her memory pulling her back in time.
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He and I were… childhood enemies.
My mother and mother his were best friends. Even after they both got married, they stayed close and ended up living in the same neighborhood—our houses right across from each other.
But ever since his mother passed away while giving birth to him, my mom took care of him as if he were her own son.
In elementary school, we led daily battles… the girls' leader, nicknamed "the Giraffe," versus the boys' leader, the Rabid Dog.
Every time it ended with us covered in dirt, holding hands, as if we hadn't been enemies just minutes before.
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The final bell rang, ending Lavinia's typical school day.
As soon as she left, she hurried toward a shop advertising big discounts.
"No one can resist a 70% sale—not even me, the angry giraffe!"
She said to herself, darting between the racks of clothes as if on a military mission.
An hour later, she came out with a full shopping bag and started walking down the main street.
The sun was tilting toward the horizon, and the street was buzzing with life—then came the collision.
She bumped into something solid, strong, and warm…
"Ah! I'm sorry!" she said, lifting her head—only to find a guy… taller than her!
Her eyes widened, her heart raced, her mind froze.
"Height… 185 cm? No, maybe more!"
"Handsome. No, too handsome. This… this is it!"
"Is he… my prince charming…?"
But before she could say a word, the young man's friend came and grabbed him by the arm.
"Come on, we'll be late."
The young man walked away without looking back, leaving Lavinia stunned, clutching her shopping bag as if she had just fallen in love.
On her way home, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Who was he?
But her thoughts didn't last long—she suddenly heard the sound of a notebook falling near one of the alleys.
She turned and saw an old man drop a notebook… then disappear with strange speed.
She ran after him, but all she found was the fallen notebook.
Curious, she picked it up and opened it.
"An album… of photos?"
But all the pages were blank, not a single picture inside.
"Weird…" she muttered, deciding to take it home with her.
That evening, after a warm bath, she entered her room and brushed her hair in front of the mirror—when she noticed something strange on the floor.
She bent down… and picked up a photograph.
Her eyes widened. Her face turned pale.
It was… a picture of her.
The moment she had bumped into the mysterious young man.
But she didn't own a camera.
And no one had been there taking photos.
"How…? Who put this here?!"
A chill ran down her spine as her eyes stayed fixed on the picture.
And here… the chapter ends, and the mystery begins.
Don't forget to leave your comments to motivate me.