The morning was unusually cold, the kind of chill that made students pull their sweaters tighter around themselves. It must have rained overnight. The air was crisp, fresh, and carried the lingering scent of damp earth. The sky was still heavy with gray clouds, though the rain had stopped, leaving behind wet patches on the pavement and tiny puddles that reflected the dull light of the morning sun.
Students arrived in different ways some were dropped off in their parents' cars, the misty windows proof of the warmth inside. Others, mostly those who lived nearby, walked through the damp streets, their breath visible in the cold air. Despite the lingering chill, there was an odd comfort in the atmosphere, a softness to the morning that made everything feel slower.
Alex, bundled up in her favorite hoodie, was just about to walk into the school gate when she heard a familiar voice call out.
"Alex!"
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She knew that voice anywhere.
Still, she glanced back and saw Faith waving at her from a distance, her arms moving lazily as if she wasn't entirely committed to the gesture.
Alex watched her for a second the slight bounce in her hurried steps, the determined expression on her face before turning away and walking through the gate.
She likes to ignore people at random moments just for fun.
Faith, noticing this, didn't even look surprised. She sighed but didn't pick up her pace. Instead, she simply walked through the gate at her own speed, her eyes wandering.
That was when she saw her.
The girl from yesterday.
The same girl who had tried to help Cole clean up after the glass had shattered.
But she looked different now.
Faith wasn't sure if it was because of the change in lighting or the fact that she was seeing her in a better mood, but for the first time, she realized just how pretty the girl was.
Petite. Cute.
Her warm brown skin contrasted against the oversized, thick sweater she wore, which looked two sizes too big but also impossibly comfortable. Her black hair was a cloud of fluffy curls, a bit messy from the morning air, but still framing her face in a way that suited her. She wore long socks that reached just below her knees, paired with simple sandals, making her look even smaller and softer.
Faith found herself staring.
It wasn't intentional.
It was just that there was something... intriguing about her.
And then, a thought surfaced one that made Faith's brows furrow slightly.
Why is she interested in Cole?
Or more importantly are they dating?
That would be strange, wouldn't it?
Because if they were, she didn't seem like the type to make it so obvious.
She looked… shy.
Reserved.
And yet, here she was, sitting outside, all alone, in the cold.
Faith tilted her head slightly, watching as the girl sat on a bench near the gate, her arms tucked into the sleeves of her sweater as if trying to trap whatever warmth she had left.
At least the benches had shade, she thought.
Still, why sit outside when it was freezing?
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the feeling of hands covering her eyes.
Faith immediately knew who it was.
"Stop that, Stephanie," she said flatly.
A familiar laugh followed as the hands moved away.
"I can see you staring at the girl from yesterday," Stephanie said, her tone teasing as always.
Faith didn't deny it.
"Yeah. I have some questions for her."
Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "What are you? A detective? Just let her be and stop being weird, bro."
Faith rolled her eyes. "I'm just curious, that's all."
Stephanie stretched her arms above her head, letting out a loud yawn. "Well, whatever. Let's get inside before class starts."
Faith glanced back at the girl one last time.
She was still sitting there, her hands now holding something like a sandwich.
Faith frowned slightly.
She's eating? Outside? In this cold?
She watched as the girl took small, quiet bites, not seeming to mind the temperature at all.
And another thing where were her friends?
Surely, she had friends, right?
Maybe they were just running late.
Maybe she was waiting for them.
Faith wasn't sure why she was thinking so much about it, but before she could get any deeper into her thoughts, Stephanie pulled her forward, urging her inside.
The classroom was noisy.
Since it wasn't the first period yet, students were scattered everywhere, talking, laughing, sharing stories about their weekend or the latest drama.
Faith settled into her usual seat by the window, right next to Stephanie, with Alex's desk directly behind them.
They naturally fell into their usual conversation—discussing the latest chapter of their favorite novel.
"I hope they get married," Stephanie said, still yawning every few seconds.
Alex, in contrast, grinned. "I hope they all die."
Faith let out a short laugh. "You would."
Alex smirked before turning her attention to Stephanie. "Why are you yawning so much? You didn't sleep?"
Stephanie sighed dramatically. "I actually slept really late. Ben kept me up for a long time."
Faith raised an eyebrow. "What were you guys even talking about for that long?"
Stephanie waved a hand dismissively. "Just some family stuff. Mostly unnecessary drama."
Alex's lips curved into a sly smile. "I wouldn't mind Ben keeping me up all night with calls."
Stephanie shot her a look. "I'm going to ignore that because you're always weird."
Faith shook her head, but her attention was already drifting back to the window.
Her gaze naturally landed on the girl outside.
And just as she did
Cole appeared.
Faith's breath hitched slightly.
She watched as he walked straight to the girl not hesitating, not stopping.
And then, he reached down and grabbed her hand.
Faith's eyes widened.
The girl looked up at him, startled for a moment, before allowing herself to be pulled up.
Then, without a word, they walked inside together.
Faith started.
A weird feeling settled in her chest.
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't jealousy.
It was…
Confusion.
Why did that sight feel so strange?