The shout from the top of the stairs pierced through Clarissa's morning haze.
"Clarissa! Come down for breakfast! You don't want to be late!"
She sighed, stretching, letting her ginger hair cascade over her shoulders like spun copper. Her skin glowed like porcelain kissed by morning sun, a sprinkle of freckles across her nose adding a hint of mischief to her otherwise composed face. Today she'd chosen a crisp white blouse tucked neatly into a navy pencil skirt, paired with a tailored blazer that screamed "corporate intern by day, law student by ambition." Polished shoes tapped softly as she descended the stairs, each step measured, graceful. She paused briefly to glance at the family portraits lining the stairwell, tracing her fingers over the images of vacations and celebrations, feeling the weight of expectations but also a quiet sense of belonging.
At the dining table, the aroma of freshly toasted waffles and the sweet tang of orange juice greeted her. She sank into the chair, absently twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she poured syrup over her breakfast. The sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting warm patterns across the table and making the syrup glint like amber.
Her dad, eyes sharp behind his glasses, glanced up from the newspaper. "Clarisse," he began, voice firm, carrying that unmistakable weight of expectation, "I know it's just the first day, but don't forget why you're here. You've got potential most people only dream about. Your mother and I didn't get where we are by holding back or settling for average. Every choice, every effort, every single day counts. You need to push yourself, aim higher than anyone else thinks possible. Be ambitious. Be relentless. Be the girl who doesn't just follow the path… but makes it."
Her mom reached over, rubbing Clarissa's shoulder with a soft, grounding hand. "Oh, honey… give her a break," she said with a warm smile. "It's just the first day of school. Let her breathe a little, will you?"
Just then, a honk cut through the air. Clarissa peeked out the window and saw Benjamin, grinning from the car. She waved excitedly, leaning into her parents for quick kisses. The morning air smelled faintly of wet pavement and blooming flowers, a gentle reminder that winter was slowly giving way to spring.
"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" she called, running toward the door, hair bouncing in the morning light.
Benjamin leapt out of the car as she approached.
"Ohhh Benji! I've missed you!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms. They hugged tightly, laughing, and walked back toward the car together.
Sliding into the passenger seat, Clarissa exhaled dramatically. "You're a lifesaver! I just escaped a full-on lecture about being perfect from my dad. All thanks to you."
Benjamin smirked, tossing her a playful look. "Well, someone's gotta save you from becoming a mini-lawyer dictator. Don't thank me, thank your genes for producing such a strict dad."
Clarissa giggled as Benjamin started the engine, and the car pulled away from the driveway. Music spilled into the car, a carefree rhythm that made her forget the morning's tension, at least for a little while. She tapped her fingers on her knee in time with the beat, her nerves melting away with every passing street.
The school gates loomed ahead, buzzing with students chatting and hurrying to their first classes. Clarissa and Benjamin weaved through the crowd, slipping past groups of friends showing off their weekend outfits. She noticed a cluster of seniors laughing loudly near the cafeteria entrance, their confident banter making her smile at the familiar mix of excitement and chaos.
"So… first day nerves?" Benjamin asked, nudging her shoulder.
"Maybe a little," Clarissa admitted, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Mostly I'm just trying not to think about Dad's speech."
Benjamin laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Mini-lawyer in training. Don't worry, you'll survive. And hey… you've got me."
They reached the lockers, and Clarissa started spinning her combination. Her fingers trembled slightly as she fumbled with the lock, a fleeting reminder that, no matter how polished her morning looked, first-day jitters were inevitable.
Suddenly, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. She squealed and giggled as she was lifted off the ground for a second. The moment the hands released her, she landed softly on the tiles, laughing.
She turned, and there he was. Alex.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass. Dark hair falling just right over his forehead, piercing eyes that always seemed to read her thoughts, and a confident, lazy smile that made her knees go weak. Today he wore a fitted leather jacket over a casual shirt and jeans, simple, effortless, yet he still looked like he had stepped out of a magazine.
Before she could even say a word, he leaned in and kissed her deeply. Her lips pressed against his with a mix of warmth and urgency, fingers threading through his hair. He held her close, one hand on her waist, the other brushing her cheek. The kiss lingered, slow at first, teasing, then deeper, full of that quiet, simmering passion they both knew too well.
Finally, they broke apart, breathless.
Benjamin, standing a few steps away, cleared his throat awkwardly. "Umm… I'm gonna go. See you in class, Clary."
Clarissa waved him off, still smiling as he walked away, her cheeks still tingling.
She turned back to Alex, her hands still resting on his chest.
"You're ridiculous," she teased, a grin tugging at her lips.
"And you love it," he shot back, eyes glinting mischievously.
Clarissa rolled her eyes playfully. "Maybe a little."
Alex leaned closer, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You know, you make it really hard to concentrate when you look like that."
Clarissa chuckled, shaking her head. "Alex, I really need to get to class."
He smiled, brushing his thumb lightly over her hand. "I love you."
Her chest fluttered, heart skipping a beat. She didn't respond immediately, and he raised an eyebrow, playful but teasing.
"Come on… say it back."
She leaned in, whispering just loud enough for him to hear, "I love you."
Alex's grin widened, satisfied. Clarissa laughed softly, stepping back just enough to gather her books.
"I really do need to go to class now," she said, still chuckling, savoring the warmth of the moment.
He watched her walk away, a small smile playing on his lips, and called after her, "I'll be waiting."
Clarissa shook her head, smiling to herself as she made her way down the hallway, already anticipating what the day might bring. The chatter around her seemed to fade slightly, replaced by the soft thrum of excitement building in her chest, a quiet certainty that this year held possibilities she hadn't even dreamed of yet.