The next morning, the air was fresh and crisp as I walked toward Seraphine High School. The sun was just starting to rise, casting a soft golden glow across the streets. Birds chirped in the distance, and the faint hum of traffic added a calm rhythm to the morning. Today felt different exciting, in a quiet sort of way.
As I reached the school gates, I saw Sofi waving energetically at me. Liliana and the rest of the group were nearby, laughing and joking about something I didn't catch.
"Good morning, Liena! Ready for another day?" Sofi called.
"Morning, Sofi," I said with a smile. "I think so. Let's see what today brings."
Liliana nudged me lightly. "You'll love it. The more you get to know everyone, the easier it gets."
We walked together toward our classroom, joking about yesterday's lessons and guessing which teacher would be the strictest.
At the stairwell, I noticed Eren Parker leaning casually against the wall. Unlike yesterday, he had a slight grin and a spark of energy in his eyes, like he was already enjoying the day. When our eyes met, he gave a small nod and a friendly smile before moving on. There was something about him that made it easy to watch, like he could be calm or lively depending on the situation.
Our first class was History, and the teacher announced a project requiring students to work in pairs. Sofi immediately tugged at my sleeve.
"Hey, let's all work together for this!" she whispered.
"Sure, sounds good," I replied, following the group.
By lunchtime, we had gathered in the courtyard under a large oak tree. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, making patches of gold on the ground. Sofi and Nicole chatted excitedly about their plans for the weekend, while Liliana teased the boys about their gaming skills. Eren, sitting nearby, was quietly observant but occasionally leaned in with small, playful comments that made the group laugh. He wasn't overbearing, but his energy was noticeable in the way he encouraged others or added a clever joke here and there.
Finally, he looked at me with a small grin. "Do you like drawing?"
"Yes, I do. Why?" I asked, curious.
"I noticed your notebook yesterday. You have a good eye," he said, his voice casual but warm.
"Thanks," I replied.
After lunch, we went to Science Lab. Eren ended up paired with me again. While working on the experiment, he leaned in occasionally with a quick comment or joke, making the task more fun without distracting from the work.
"You're careful with that," I remarked, adjusting a beaker.
"Better safe than sorry," he replied, smiling. There was a slight spark in his tone, enough to make me pay attention to him more than usual.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly with lessons in Math, English, and Physical Education. By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I felt satisfied. It had been a long day, full of new experiences and familiar faces starting to feel like friends.
Sofi and the group walked me to the bus stop. The sun was dipping low, painting the sky with streaks of pink and orange. I waved goodbye to everyone and climbed onto the bus, reflecting on the day.
Eren had a small smile as he waved back, his energy gentle but noticeable.