Mariel's POV

The scent of freshly waxed floors and anticipation hung heavy in the air. Wow, it actually smells like new beginnings, I thought, clutching my brand-new backpack straps. The weight of its contents – textbooks, notebooks, and a nervous flutter in my stomach – felt like a tangible representation of my first day of high school. It was a large, imposing building, a stark contrast to the cozy familiarity of my elementary school. But then, a wave of comfortable recognition washed over me as I spotted familiar faces amidst the sea of new ones. "Chloe!" I called out, a giggle escaping my lips as my longtime friend waved enthusiastically from a small group near the entrance. "I can't believe we're finally in high school!" It's going to be so different, but so exciting, I thought.

The new student orientation felt like a blur of introductions and announcements. So many people, I thought, standing in a long line, the nervous energy palpable. As I shifted my weight, my eyes landed on a boy a few people ahead. He was tall and striking, with dark hair that fell neatly over his forehead. But it was his hands that caught my attention. He was casually flexing a grip strengthener, the veins in his forearms subtly bulging. He looked intense, almost intimidating. Wow, intense, I thought, quickly looking away. He seems… cold. Surely, someone who carries a grip strengthener everywhere must be a cold, unapproachable person.

The ceremony concluded, and I found my assigned classroom. "Hey!" Chloe greeted, "I saved you a seat!" I smiled and dropped into the chair beside her. "So, what did you think of the orientation?" she asked, leaning closer. "It was… a lot," I replied, "But I saw some familiar faces, which was nice." "Right? I saw May too!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. It's good to see some familiar faces in this huge school.

Our adviser, Ms. Reyes, entered the room, her presence instantly silencing the room. "Good morning, class," Ms. Reyes said, her voice calm and clear. "My name is Ms. Reyes, and I'll be your adviser this year. I expect you all to be respectful and responsible." She seems nice, I thought, listening attentively as she outlined classroom rules and expectations.

The bell rang, signaling recess. Time to explore! I thought, stepping out into the bustling courtyard. I found a quiet corner near a large acacia tree, observing my classmates. My eyes were drawn to a boy sitting alone on a bench, sketching in a notebook. He was small, maybe around 149 centimeters tall, with soft brown hair and a thoughtful expression. He seemed lost in his own world, oblivious to the chaos around him. He's so focused, I thought, captivated by his concentration. He was unexpectedly handsome, a quiet, unassuming handsomeness that intrigued me far more than the imposing presence of the boy with the grip strengthener. I wonder what he's like? I thought, a small, unexpected warmth blooming in my chest. This new high school, filled with both familiar faces and intriguing strangers, felt promising, a canvas ready to be filled with new friendships, challenges, and maybe, even a little bit of unexpected romance.