The scorching summer break had come to an end, slowly approaching the beckoning call of autumn. The students of Winterwood High School, still adjusting to early mornings, yawned as they gathered in the auditorium. The fresh twelfth graders sat in orderly rows, awaiting the start of the school year.

At the podium, Principal Cronin, a stern but well-respected figure whose presence commanded attention, stepped forward to deliver his customary welcome address. “I extend a warm welcome to our newest twelfth-grade students here at Winterwood High. As seniors, you bear the responsibility of setting a positive example for your junior colleagues. Embrace this final year of your high school journey, for it is a bridge to the future that awaits. Don’t forget the challenges you will also face as you prepare for your finals, in which your potential shall be tested. My sincerest wishes for each one of you to seize the opportunities that lie ahead and make your mark in this pivotal year of twelfth grade.”

Following the conclusion of the principal’s speech, the students dispersed through the school’s corridors, eager to locate their designated homerooms. Silvia, sporting her wig begrudgingly, navigated the crowded sea of her peers, her gaze flitting from one face to another.

In the midst of this chaotic symphony, Dane spotted Silvia, and approached her with a countenance illuminated by an exuberance that contrasted sharply with the gravity of his summer confession. Silvia couldn’t help but notice he had grown a few inches taller, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

“What’s your homeroom?” Dane casually asked, with a wide grin.

“I got moved to Room 11,” Silvia replied.

“Me too!”

Their shared moment of relief was interrupted by Aiden, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation. He sauntered over to join them, walking alongside Dane. “Guess who else is in Room 11.”

Dane playfully draped his arm around Aiden’s shoulder. “Hey, look who’s here, man.”

Silvia felt reassured by the sight of Aiden and Dane on good terms again, though a flicker of apprehension still lingered when it came to Aiden. Together, they navigated the maze of hallways until they reached their destination: Room 12. However, Silvia’s nerves kicked in when she realised that Miss Cowan was once again her homeroom teacher, as if fate itself conspired to test her patience.

The trio huddled together, with Dane naturally stepping into the role of the mediating middleman. Just as the classroom routine began to settle in, Silvia’s phone vibrated in her pocket, drawing her attention away from the monotony of school life. She discreetly retrieved it and read a text message from Camila: “Damn it, we’re not in the same homeroom anymore, but I’m stuck with Jared this year.”

Silvia replied, “Yeah, I’m devastated. I’m stuck with Aiden and Dane.”

“I wish you luck, sis,” Camila jokingly replied.

As Miss Cowan started the ritual of taking attendance, Silvia’s ears perked up, awaiting the mention of her brother’s name, Silus. Aiden, seated on the other side of Dane, occasionally directed fleeting glances in her direction when he thought she wouldn’t notice. Silvia, sensitive to the sensation of someone’s gaze upon her, turned to her left, only for Aiden to swiftly avert his gaze, feigning indifference.

Amid the routine task of reorganising her locker in preparation for the new school term, Silvia found herself interrupted by Camila’s approach, bearing an undeniable air of unease. A gentle nudge from Camila’s elbow drew Silvia’s attention away from the neatly arranged books and supplies.

Camila’s words were loaded with an intriguing sense of mystery. “Did you hear what happened at recess?”

Silvia, ever the curious one, couldn’t resist taking the bait. “No, what happened?”

“Aiden,” Camila began, “he came up to me and said sorry.”

Silvia’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “He what?”

“He apologised for how he thoughtlessly ended things between us. But here’s the strange part.”

“…What?”

Camila’s voice dropped to a whisper. “He didn’t just apologise to me. He’s been saying sorry to all the girls he’s ever played around with.”

Silvia’s mind raced back to the time when she had insisted that Aiden make amends with all the girls he had hurt. The impact of Aiden’s actions bore down on her, causing her to lose grip on the papers in her hand, which scattered across the floor. The implications of Aiden’s sudden remorse left her utterly stunned.

Kneeling down to help Silvia gather the scattered papers, Camila wore a deeply troubled expression. “Do you think this has something to do with you?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“We all know he likes you.”

“Y-yeah, b-but I don’t feel the same way.”

Camila finally retrieved the last paper from the floor, her expression still marked by concern. “Good. Because honestly, I still don’t trust him.”

Silvia stepped into her final class of the day, her eyes widening in surprise as she spotted Aiden among her peers. She chose her desk carefully, hoping to avoid any unwelcome company, but Aiden, seemingly oblivious to her vexation, settled down right next to her.

Suspicion laced her words as she asked, “Why are you sitting next to me?”

Aiden leaned back in his chair, exuding an air of casual confidence. “I think we should be cool with each other.”

Silvia raised an eyebrow, her distrust evident.

Unfazed, Aiden continued, “You probably think I’m using you to get closer to your sister, but believe me, I’m not. I just think we should start over and be friends. We both have pretty bad reputations, so let’s hit the reset button this year.”

After a moment of contemplation, Silvia extended her hand. “Fine.”

Aiden accepted her hand with a friendly shake. “The name’s Aiden Hyde, the good-looking guy everyone knows of.”

With a playful smirk, she responded, “And I’m Silus, the guy who placed one rank above you.”

Aiden chuckled at her unexpected retort. Glancing at Silvia’s desk, he noticed her school timetable, revealing that they shared English and physical education classes. “Guess I’ll be seeing you more often.”

As the school bell chimed, marking the end of the day, Camila gracefully exited the classroom alongside her friends. She harboured her own intentions for the afternoon, ready to break away from the pack.

“Camila, where are you headed?” one of her companions inquired.

Camila’s stride halted for a moment, and she turned to face her inquisitive friend. “I’m meeting up with Silus.”

Her response left her friends momentarily flabbergasted. One asked, “You’re friends with Silus?”

Camila, remaining nonchalant, elaborated, “Well, his sister happens to be my best friend. And, you know, Silus isn’t all that b-b-bad.” Though a slight stutter betrayed her forced compliment, she let the words stand. For Silvia’s sake, she felt compelled to maintain the façade.

Felicia, meanwhile, happened to stroll by, and Camila’s words caught her attention. She overheard Camila speaking somewhat positively about Silus, and a pang of jealousy tugged at her. From a short distance away, she observed Camila and her friends, with a bustling stream of students passing between them.

Camila’s friend continued the conversation. “Now that you mention it, don’t you guys think Silus is so different now?”

“You’re right,” another friend chimed in. “He came 8th last year, and word has it he’s been lending a helping hand to a lot of people.”

“Yeah, when you greet him, he actually responds with a smile and a wave.”

Growing uncomfortable with the discussion veering towards Silus’ transformation, Camila waved it off. “Anyway…I’d better get going before I lose track of him.”

With that, she briskly separated from her group of friends. If she had to endure one more compliment about Silus, she would’ve puked from disgust. On the other hand, Felicia’s gaze remained fixed on Camila, her fingers nervously toying with each other.

Silvia ambled out of the school gates, ready to head home, until Camila caught up to her. This encounter heightened Silvia’s worries over the insensitive rumours circulating about Camila and Silus.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Silvia questioned with growing anxiety.

Unlike her presumption, very few passersby paid any attention to their interaction.

Camila exuded confidence as she responded, “Calm down. Can’t you see that things are changing?” She gently took hold of Silvia’s arm and turned her away from the school premises. “Let’s walk home together.”

Before they could depart, a high-pitched, feminine voice cut through the air like a desperate plea. “Silus, wait!”

Silvia and Camila pivoted to see Felicia, her hurried steps closing the distance between them. Camila’s brow furrowed in bewilderment at her abrupt appearance.

“Felicia, what’s up?” Silvia asked in a friendly tone.

Felicia, her cheeks turning pink, gazed at Silvia shyly. “Um, are you free today?”

“Sorry,” Silvia replied. “I have to go somewhere.”

Felicia’s disappointment was apparent, her heart already heavy with the weight of unspoken feelings. She had secretly hoped to spend time with ‘Silus’ after school. Camila, always perceptive, quickly grasped Felicia’s affection for Silus. After numerous encounters with Felicia, Silvia finally began to unravel the complexities of being the unwitting subject of another girl’s affections.

Reluctantly aware that prolonging the interaction would only deepen Felicia’s emotions, Silvia decided to create some distance. “I, uh, better go now. See you next time.”

She walked away with brisk steps, and Camila followed closely behind. The sight of them together left Felicia feeling even more disheartened. Although she hadn’t confessed her feelings, it already felt like she had been rejected.