The lunch break had only just begun, yet the school campus was already overflowing with noise. Students rushed toward the canteen, some carrying lunchboxes while others chased their friends across the playground. Laughter echoed through the corridors, teachers walked past with tired smiles, and the warm afternoon breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass. Ethan Carter wasn't interested in any of it. He quietly walked away from the crowd until he found an old wooden bench beneath a giant maple tree at the corner of the campus. It was peaceful there, far enough from the noise that he could finally hear himself think. He placed his bag beside him, opened his lunchbox, and stared at it for a few seconds without taking a single bite.
His mind kept replaying the same moment.
The girl from yesterday.
What were the chances that the stranger he had accidentally bumped into would turn out to be his classmate? It was a coincidence... at least, that's what logic told him. But deep down, something refused to accept that explanation. The strange feeling from yesterday had only become stronger after seeing her again.
Just as he reached for his sandwich, a soft shadow fell across the bench.
He looked up.
Elena Brooks stood there, holding her lunchbox with both hands. A few loose strands of hair danced across her face as the wind blew gently. She looked slightly nervous, as if she had rehearsed what she wanted to say but had forgotten the words at the last moment.
"Is... this seat taken?" she asked quietly.
Ethan looked at the empty space beside him before shaking his head.
"No."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Thanks."
She sat down carefully, leaving enough distance between them to avoid making things awkward. For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Around them, students laughed loudly, someone was playing basketball in the distance, and a group nearby argued over whose fries tasted better. Yet somehow, the silence between Ethan and Elena felt louder than everything else.
Finally, Elena let out a tiny laugh.
"This is kind of awkward."
Ethan couldn't help smiling.
"A little."
"I was actually hoping we wouldn't meet again after yesterday."
His eyebrows rose.
"Really?"
She quickly shook her head.
"No! I mean... not because of you. I was just embarrassed."
He chuckled softly.
"I spent half the evening thinking you'd probably think I'm the clumsiest person you've ever met."
She laughed properly this time.
"That's funny... because I thought the exact same thing about myself."
The awkwardness slowly disappeared.
For the first time since yesterday, talking to her didn't feel uncomfortable.
"I'm Ethan, by the way," he said, offering a small smile.
"I know," Elena replied. "The teacher introduced you this morning."
He rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.
"Right... I forgot."
"I'm Elena."
"I know."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Fair enough."
Both of them laughed.
It wasn't a loud laugh.
Just enough to make the silence between them feel comfortable.
For the next few minutes, they talked about simple things—their previous schools, favorite subjects, and how confusing the first day always felt. Ethan discovered that Elena loved sketching landscapes whenever she had free time, while Elena was surprised to learn that Ethan preferred reading mystery novels over playing video games.
"You actually read books for fun?" she asked with mock disbelief.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I do read."
"What kind?"
She thought for a second.
"Romance."
Ethan nodded.
"I should've guessed."
"And you?"
"Mystery."
She smiled knowingly.
"That explains why you always look like you're solving a crime."
He laughed.
"Do I really?"
"A little."
Before Ethan could reply, a voice interrupted them.
"There you are!"
A boy carrying two cans of juice walked toward Ethan with an energetic smile.
"I'm Noah Miller," he said, extending one hand dramatically. "Official guide to surviving this school."
Ethan shook his hand.
"Ethan."
"I know."
Ethan sighed.
"Everyone knows."
"Exactly."
Noah turned toward Elena.
"And you're Elena, right?"
She nodded politely.
"Hi."
Noah looked from Ethan to Elena and then back again.
"Hmm..."
"What?"
"I've only been here for ten seconds, and somehow I feel like I interrupted something."
Both Ethan and Elena answered immediately.
"You didn't."
Their synchronized reply made Noah grin even wider.
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
Elena covered her face with one hand, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Ethan simply looked away.
Noah burst into laughter.
"I like you two already."
The bell rang before either of them could respond.
Students immediately began gathering their bags.
As they walked back toward the classroom, Noah kept talking nonstop, introducing Ethan to random students in the hallway. Ethan barely remembered half the names, but Noah seemed determined to become friends with everyone in the school.
The next class was English Literature.
Mrs. Anderson entered the classroom carrying a stack of books.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"Good afternoon, ma'am."
She smiled before writing two words on the board.
Partner Assignment
Groans filled the classroom.
Mrs. Anderson ignored them.
"You'll be working in pairs for the next four weeks. Your partner will help you prepare a presentation based on classic literature."
Students immediately began whispering.
"I hope I get Olivia."
"Please don't pair me with Mason."
Mrs. Anderson unfolded a sheet of paper.
"I've already decided the pairs."
One by one, she called out names.
Finally—
"Noah Miller with Charlotte Evans."
Noah dramatically placed a hand on his chest.
"I accept my fate."
The class laughed.
Mrs. Anderson continued reading.
"Ethan Carter..."
Ethan looked up.
"...with Elena Brooks."
For a second, both of them froze.
Noah slowly turned toward Ethan with the biggest grin imaginable.
"Oh..."
Someone from the back whispered loudly,
"What a coincidence."
Another student laughed.
Mrs. Anderson looked over her glasses.
"Any problem?"
Both Ethan and Elena shook their heads.
"No, ma'am."
"Good. Then sit together from tomorrow."
The period continued, but neither of them could focus anymore.
Whenever Ethan looked toward the board, he somehow became aware that Elena was only one desk away.
Whenever Elena tried reading the chapter, she caught herself wondering why she wasn't uncomfortable around someone she'd met only yesterday.
It didn't make sense.
Yet...
It felt strangely natural.
As the final bell rang, students rushed toward the exit. Ethan packed his books slowly before stepping into the corridor. Just as he reached the staircase, he noticed Elena standing near the notice board, searching for something.
She looked up.
"Our project starts tomorrow," she said with a small smile.
"I know."
"I guess... we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
"I guess we will."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Elena waved softly before walking toward the school gate.
Ethan watched her leave until she disappeared into the crowd.
Only then did he turn toward the old academic building once more.
One of the second-floor windows was open.
For a brief second...
He could've sworn someone was standing there, watching him.
He blinked.
The window was empty.
Yet the strange feeling returned.
As if the old walls had recognized him...
Long before he had remembered them.