I watched them as they stepped into the classroom. Young Aria sat staring intently at the board, though I knew she wasn't hearing a single word coming out of the teacher's mouth.
When class finally ended, she didn't wait for her mother like she usually did. Mom had a busy schedule that day and couldn't come to pick her up. So instead, young Aria walked tiredly toward the school library.
The moment she stepped inside, her eyes landed on Lewis.
Was he everywhere?
The thought came back to me just like it did years back.
She ignored him and turned toward the shelves instead. She picked out a few books—the kind that spoke about history, legacy, and how people are remembered long after they're gone. Coincidentally, she sat down opposite Lewis.
They read in silence, and for the first time, I truly studied him.
He had dark brown hair, thick eyebrows, and oddly red lips—the kind you'd never expect a boy to have. His eyes were light brown, almost soft, and he always wore glasses. Maybe it was a sight problem. Or maybe not. Because every now and then, he stole quick glances at young Aria when he thought she wasn't looking.
"I see you, you know that right?" she said, lifting her eyes from the page.
"I'm sorry," he replied immediately.
He checked the time, stood up in a hurry, and walked away.
Aria followed him with her eyes, instinctively. He was always strange—quiet, mysterious. Maybe she shouldn't have paid him any attention at all. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved with him.
She eventually returned her focus to the library. Since Lewis hadn't returned his books, she noticed them on the table. It seemed he, too, was interested in history.
But it wasn't just the books.
He had forgotten a piece of paper.
I knew it wouldn't be right to look through it. But when you're young and clueless, curiosity doesn't ask for permission.
She just picked up the paper, slipped it into her bag, and left the library. As she finally reached the front of the school, about to head home, young Aria spotted Marie. She tried to ignore her, but the instant Marie saw her, she rushed over.
"Aria!! Aria!!! Wait up!!" she yelled, hoping young Aria would stop.
"What?!" Aria called back, her voice sharp. "Wanna stop a rando and fight again? You do that perfectly, you know?"
"Come on, I'm really sorry, here. Please just stop! you're moving too fast." Marie insisted, stepping closer.
"Fine," Aria muttered, finally halting. "Why'd you want me to stop?" She crossed her arms over her chest, a little defensive.
"I'm sorry, Aria," Marie said, looking genuinely apologetic. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I thought I was helping."
"Fine, I will forgive you. But on one condition," Aria replied. "When I tell you to forget a quarrel that could potentially turn into a fight, you have to listen to me."
"Deal. Thank you," Marie said, smiling warmly. "We should never let a misunderstanding stand between us."
"You're right," young Aria agreed, a small smile breaking through. They both turned and continued walking home together.
"So, anything new happen recently?" Marie asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes," young Aria said, her voice dropping slightly. "Do you know anything about Lewis?"
"No," Marie replied, shaking her head. "But I always see him all alone, or in the library. Why?"
"I saw him in the library just now," young Aria said. "He left a piece of paper."
Marie's expression shifted. "I hope you're not planning on checking it before you give it back," she said, her tone disapproving.
"I mean, I was contemplating..."young Aria began, but Marie quickly cut her off.
"DON'T DO IT!!!" Marie said, her voice full of concern. "Things like this always turn out bad. Just give him the paper tomorrow, okay?" Her eyes were wide, worried.
"Okay, I won't look at it," young Aria whispered, but as they walked home, I saw her face lit up with a realization that curiosity was not a flaw—it was a compass. And some paths, once noticed, could never be ignored.