For a while, neither of them spoke. The peaceful silence between them felt comforting rather than awkward. Sunlight filtered through the maple leaves above, creating shifting patches of light across the wooden table. Elena absentmindedly twirled her pencil between her fingers while Ethan flipped through another reference book, making notes for their presentation. Every now and then, one of them would ask a question about the project, and the other would answer without hesitation. It was strange how naturally they worked together, considering they had only known each other for two days.
"I think we've already finished half the project," Elena said, looking over the neatly written notes.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
She smiled proudly. "See? I told you I'm good at organizing things."
"I never doubted that."
"Oh, really? You looked pretty doubtful this morning."
"I was just... observing."
She laughed. "That's your favorite excuse, isn't it?"
"Maybe."
For a brief moment, their eyes met. Neither of them looked away immediately this time. Instead, they shared a quiet smile before returning to their notebooks.
The sound of laughter echoed from the basketball court nearby. Noah's voice could be heard from across the campus.
"That's a foul! You pushed me!"
"You tripped over your own feet!" someone shouted back.
Ethan chuckled.
"I think your friend starts at least three arguments a day."
Elena smiled.
"But he also ends them."
"I've noticed."
"He seems like the kind of person who makes everyone feel included."
Ethan nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah... I think I needed someone like that."
She looked at him for a moment but didn't ask any questions. Somehow, she had already learned that Ethan wasn't the kind of person who opened up easily. If he wanted to tell his story, he would do it in his own time.
A cool breeze swept through the garden.
One loose sheet of paper suddenly flew off the table.
"Oh no!"
Before Elena could catch it, the paper drifted across the stone pathway and disappeared behind a row of thick bushes.
"I'll get it," Ethan said, standing up.
He walked toward the bushes, carefully pushing the branches aside. The paper had landed near an old stone wall that looked much older than the rest of the school building. Moss covered most of its surface, and tiny cracks ran through the faded bricks.
As Ethan bent down to pick up the paper, something unusual caught his attention.
Hidden behind the bushes...
...was a narrow stone pathway.
It looked abandoned.
Dead leaves covered the ground, and wild vines had almost swallowed the entrance. Judging by the dust and overgrown plants, no one had walked there in years.
"Ethan?" Elena called from behind. "Did you find it?"
"Yeah..."
His eyes remained fixed on the hidden path.
"But... come here for a second."
Curious, Elena walked over.
"What happened?"
Instead of answering, Ethan simply pointed toward the narrow pathway.
She frowned.
"I've never seen that before."
"You've studied here since kindergarten."
"I know."
"Then how have you never noticed this?"
She stepped closer.
"I don't think anyone comes here."
The two stood silently, staring at the forgotten path.
It wasn't frightening.
It was... inviting.
Almost as though it wanted someone to follow it.
"You think it leads somewhere?" Ethan asked quietly.
Elena shrugged.
"Probably an old part of the campus."
Just then—
A sharp voice echoed from behind them.
"What are you two doing there?"
Both turned immediately.
It was the elderly librarian.
His calm expression had disappeared.
He walked toward them much faster than someone his age normally would.
"You shouldn't be here."
Ethan looked confused.
"We were just picking up a paper."
The librarian glanced toward the hidden pathway before looking back at them.
"This section of the garden has been closed for years."
"There isn't even a sign," Elena replied politely.
"There should be."
His tone softened slightly.
"Please... go back."
Something about his voice felt different.
He wasn't angry.
He sounded... worried.
Ethan looked once more toward the pathway.
"What used to be there?"
The librarian hesitated.
For several long seconds, he remained silent.
Finally, he answered.
"Old memories."
Before either of them could ask another question, he turned around and slowly walked back toward the library.
Neither Ethan nor Elena moved.
"What was that supposed to mean?" Elena whispered.
"I have no idea."
"But don't you think..."
She looked toward the hidden path again.
"...he looked scared?"
Ethan nodded.
"Not of us."
"Then of what?"
He didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
The final school bell echoed across the campus, pulling students toward the exits. Ethan and Elena gathered their books in silence before leaving the garden.
As they walked through the corridor, Noah suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"There you two are!" he exclaimed dramatically. "I've been searching the entire school."
"Were you?" Ethan asked.
"No."
Ethan sighed.
"I just wanted to sound dramatic."
Elena laughed.
"You really enjoy doing that."
"It's part of my personality."
The three of them walked toward the school gate together, talking about homework, teachers, and Noah's never-ending talent for getting into trouble. For a little while, Ethan forgot about the mysterious pathway.
Almost.
When they reached the gate, Elena's bus arrived.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, smiling.
"Tomorrow," Ethan replied.
She waved before climbing onto the bus.
Noah nudged Ethan with his elbow.
"You smiled."
"What?"
"You smiled."
"So?"
"You don't do that very often."
Ethan looked toward the departing bus.
"I guess..."
He smiled again.
"...some people make it easier."
Noah grinned but, for once, didn't tease him.
As Ethan turned to leave, something made him glance back toward the old school building.
The second-floor window overlooked the hidden garden.
For just a second...
A dark figure stood behind the dusty glass.
Completely still.
Watching him.
Ethan blinked.
The figure vanished.
The window was empty once again.
But this time...
He was certain.
He hadn't imagined it.