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Fiona stepped into her new classroom—1-C.
Her brand-new home for the year.
The second she stepped inside, her confidence instantly flew away..
The room buzzed with chatter, desks scraping against the floor, laughter bouncing off the walls.
Students were already grouping up, chatting like they’d known each other forever.
Fiona, meanwhile, stood at the doorway like a doe caught in headlights.
Her eyes darted from face to face. Each time someone glanced back, she looked away instantly, cheeks warming.
Don’t look like a fool. Don’t look like a fool…
Deciding she’d embarrassed herself enough already, Fiona searched for the safest place in the room.
Her gaze landed on it—by the window.
Sunlight filtered through the glass like it was spilling through a sieve, scattering soft warmth across the empty desk.
The golden glow kissed her face as she sat down, and for the first time that morning, Fiona exhaled.
Perfect. This is my spot.
She set her bag beside her and allowed herself a tiny smile. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.
That’s when she noticed him.
Four desks back, hunched over a thick book, brows drawn together in concentration. His curly hair caught the sunlight in messy strands.
Elliot.
The same boy who had practically declared them best friends at the gates.
Fiona’s lips curved before she could stop herself. But then—he looked up.
Their eyes met.
And Elliot… smiled. A warm, easy smile, as if they’d known each other far longer than five chaotic minutes in the rain.
Fiona’s chest gave the tiniest flutter. She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the front.
Heh. Guess I’m doing great, she thought proudly.
She reached for her bag, rummaging for her notebook. Pens, tissues, candy wrapper—finally, she found it and grinned to herself.
When she turned back—
She nearly screamed.
Elliot was right beside her.
“El—” She cut herself off, nearly choking on his name. Her heart thumped against her ribs.
He leaned casually on the desk, elbow brushing against hers, nose buried in his book like this was the most normal thing in the world.
“Hey,” he said without hesitation, eyes flicking to hers for only a second before returning to the page.
“I couldn’t see the board from back there, so I chose to sit here.”
Fiona blinked. Once. Twice. Her brain scrambled for a response.
But all she could think was—
The board hasn’t even been written on yet.
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