FIRST MEETING

Ashlynn sat beneath the jacaranda tree, its violet blossoms drifting lazily around her like confetti from a forgotten celebration. The breeze teased the pages of her book, but she held them steady, lost in a world far removed from the one unfolding just yards away.

Not far off, three figures stood in a loose triangle—each with a different kind of gaze.

The middle-aged woman tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. Concern? Recognition? Something flickered behind her eyes, but she said nothing.

Beside her, the young man shifted his weight from one foot to the other, arms crossed tightly. His gaze lingered on Ashlynn with a mix of curiosity and something more guarded—like he was trying to remember a dream he wasn’t sure he’d had.

The teacher, clipboard in hand, watched with the practiced detachment of someone trained to observe without interfering. But even she couldn’t hide the slight furrow in her brow.

Ashlynn turned a page, unaware—or perhaps pretending not to notice—that she had become the center of a silent conversation.

Then the middle-aged woman stepped forward, her smile warm and sweet. “Hey, sweetheart,” she said gently.

Ashlynn looked up at the trio but didn’t respond.

“Sorry to disturb you,” the woman continued, “but I’d like you to be friends with my son.”

The young man stepped forward, offering a small wave. “Hey, classmate. I’m Zavier Cruz.”

Ashlynn’s eyes widened at the name, a flicker of shock crossing her face—but only for a moment. “Ashlynn Sinclair,” she replied softly.

The teacher’s eyes widened. Ashlynn never spoke to anyone. A smile bloomed on Leona’s face, mirrored by Zavier’s.

“Oh! I forgot to introduce myself,” the woman said cheerfully. “Leona Hart. You can call me Auntie Leo.”

Ashlynn smiled faintly and glanced at the teacher.

“He’s your classmate—and your deskmate,” Teacher added. “I’d love for you two to get to know each other.”

Ashlynn nodded.

Just then, the school bell rang. She glanced at her watch, then offered a small smile to Leona and Zavier.

“I haven’t talked to people in a long time… I don’t know what to say. And unexpectedly… my fiancé is here,” she thought, her steps slow and uncertain as she walked away.

But she hadn’t gone far when Leona called out, “Ashlynn!”

She turned. Leona and Zavier had caught up to her.

“Sweetie, can we add each other on WeChat?” Leona asked.

Ashlynn nodded, pulling out her phone. She opened her account, and both mother and son scanned her code. After accepting their requests, she looked toward the classroom.

“You can go and take care of yourself,” Leona said softly, watching her walk away.

Zavier watched her retreating figure. “Mom… is she the one?”

Leona nodded. “Yes. What do you think of her?”

“She’s quiet,” he said thoughtfully. “I like her smile… even though it doesn’t reach her eyes. I don’t know much about her, but I like her.”

“She’s beautiful,” Leona said with a wistful sigh. “And that figure… it makes people jealous. Even me.”

Zavier laughed at his mother’s honesty.

“Take care of yourself—and of her,” Leona said, squeezing his shoulder before walking away.

Zavier lingered a moment longer, eyes still on the path Ashlynn had taken, before turning toward the office.

Ashlynn stepped into the classroom, her expression calm, unreadable.

The moment her shoes touched the tile floor, the chatter died. It wasn’t dramatic—no gasps or sudden hushes. Just a slow, instinctive quiet that rippled through the room like a held breath. Students who had been laughing and whispering moments before fell silent, their eyes following her as she walked to her seat at the back.

She didn’t acknowledge them. She didn’t need to.

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