The first day of school was always the same for Sara Price: find a quiet spot, pull out her sketchbook, and watch the world go by from the margins. Lockers slammed, students chattered, teachers called out instructions across the hall, and she had learned to exist in the cracks between it all.
By the main hall, she nearly bumped into a tall boy standing awkwardly by the lockers. He had dark hair that fell into his eyes, brown eyes that seemed to take in everything like he was trying to memorize the world in a single glance, and a lanky frame that made him look like he might topple over at any sudden noise.
He was holding a crumpled schedule and muttering to himself.
Sara raised an eyebrow. "Lost, or just practicing talking to imaginary people?" she asked, half-joking.
The boy jumped, then glanced at her, startled. "Uh… maybe both," he said, and there was the faintest edge of a smile tugging at his lips.
"I'm Sara," she said. "I can show you around if you want."
He gave a small, shy smile. "I'm Aiden. Aiden Rivers. Thanks… I'd appreciate that."
"Here," Sara said, holding out her hand, "let me see your schedule. I'll help you find your first class."
Aiden handed it over, and she scanned it quickly. Her eyes widened, and a laugh escaped her. "Wait a second… we're in the same homeroom. Fate must have had a hand in this—you, me, bumping into each other, and now sharing homeroom. That's… kind of perfect."
He blinked at her, a small, confused smile forming. "Perfect… or doomed?"
Sara grinned. "I'll let you decide. Come on, I'll show you the way."
"So," she said, trying to lighten the mood as they walked, "don't tell anyone I'm giving you a private tour, but there's a secret shortcut past the vending machines that lets you skip half the stairs."
He blinked, then let out a soft laugh — low, quiet, but genuine. "I'll remember that. If I survive, you're officially my hero."
Sara grinned. "Just don't expect me to fight anyone for you. I draw better than I punch."
He chuckled softly, covering his mouth with his hand. "Maybe. But I'll keep my musical crimes to myself for now."
When they passed the music room, he froze for a moment, staring at the piano through the glass.
"You like music?" she asked casually
He shook his head, but there was a wistful tilt to it. "I… I used to play. Not very well."
Sara gave him a teasing look. "We'll see. I'm sure you're the kind of person who could make even a triangle sound cool."
He laughed quietly, and then she remembered something. "So… where are you from, Aiden?"
He hesitated for a second, then replied, "Japan. I just moved here."
Sara's eyes lit up. "Japan? That's amazing! I've always wanted to go there—Tokyo, Kyoto, all of it. The culture, the food, the art… it's so cool."
Aiden's lips curved into a small, pleased smile. "Yeah… it's far from here, but I like it so far. People are… nice."
They continued walking toward their homeroom, quietly settling into seats near each other. The silence between them felt comfortable, easy and unforced, filled with small smiles and quiet understanding.