chapter 1

Emma

The weather was quite pleasant—a beautiful, windy evening. It was dismissal time at school, and the entire campus buzzed with activity as everyone rushed toward their buses. The rumbling engines echoed, blending with the laughter and chatter as students hurried to leave. Neha, Abby, and I walked down the footpath, each of us drifting in our own thoughts, barely noticing the road ahead. We felt distant from the world around us, comfortably absorbed in our little bubble of friendship and stories.

Neha, who I deeply cherish, is always calm and composed, no matter the situation. She has an infectious playfulness, yet beneath it all lies a maturity that often surprises me. Among our friends, she’s the voice of reason, the one who pulls us back if we go too far. She balances fun and wisdom so effortlessly, and I always admire how gracefully she handles things that would unsettle anyone else. In our group, she’s the anchor, reminding us to stay grounded while encouraging us to enjoy the journey.

Then there’s Abby. Reliable and ever-present, he's more than just a friend; he’s like a brother to us all. Tough on the outside, he can sometimes come across as intimidating, but I know he's one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Always ready to lend a hand, he's the person you’d want by your side, no matter the situation. However, his kindness is a double-edged sword. Sometimes, people take advantage of his generosity, mistaking it for weakness. It frustrates me to see him getting used by others, but he just shrugs it off, saying, "It’s worth it if it helps someone out." Abby's heart is gold, pure and loyal, and he brings a steady warmth to our lives.

Our walk to the tuition center is usually a 15-minute journey, but with all our detours, jokes, and chatter, it often stretches longer. By the time we make it to class, it's usually around 4:45, and on days when we stop for snacks, we don’t reach until closer to 5:10 or 5:15. Today was one of those days where our path took us somewhere new—a freshly opened milkshake shop, its bright sign catching our eye as we passed by. Without a second thought, we strolled in, eagerly anticipating a taste of something new.

While waiting for our order, I noticed a group of students from school entering the shop and taking seats nearby. And then, for the first time, I saw him. He was taller, maybe a year younger, judging by his uniform. Though he appeared older, maybe because of his height or the way he carried himself, I realized he was still a junior. I observed him briefly, intrigued by the aura he projected. But showing interest in a junior? That was something I’d always avoided. I might be curious about many things, but being drawn to someone younger wasn’t exactly on my list. It went against my self-imposed "rules," and so I brushed off the thought, refocusing on my friends as our milkshakes arrived, laughing as we sipped and shared stories.

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