As the September sun lit up the schoolyard, Noah stood alone, watching the other students laugh and chat in small groups.

The prospect of spending recess alone weighed on him, but he remembered his brother's words: 'Above all, don't let them walk all over you, or they'll take advantage,' he had told him.

That's when a soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. 'Excuse me, do you know where the bathroom is?' asked a girl with curious eyes. It was the beginning of an unexpected encounter that would change his life.

During lunch break, they decided to stay together, asking each other questions and sharing laughs, realizing they weren't even in the same class.

Noah: "So, are you new here?"

Aria: "Yeah, I just moved to town a few weeks ago. It's a little intimidating to change schools."

Noah: "I understand, I feel a little lost too. But you seem nice, it's cool to meet you."

Aria: "Thanks, Noah. You're the first to welcome me so warmly. What do you like to do outside of school?"

Noah: "I love drawing. I even started writing a comic book story recently."

Aria: "Wow, that's super interesting! Could you show me your drawings sometime? I'd love to see your work."

Noah: "Sure, I'd be happy. And what are you passionate about?"

Aria: "I really like music, especially playing the piano. It's kind of my lifeline when I feel stressed."

Noah: "That's great, music has this power to transport us. Maybe one day I could illustrate you playing the piano in one of my comics!"

Aria: "That would be amazing! We could even collaborate on a story together, mixing music and visual art."

Noah: "That would be fantastic!"

They return to class and the day ends peacefully.

—-

Noah arrives for class the next day, but strangely, the teachers consider him late. He is summoned to the prefect, an authoritarian and contemptuous man.

Prefect: "Noah, explain to me why you are late to class. It is unacceptable and disrespectful to the authority of this school."

Noah, surprised and disconcerted by the unfair accusation, answers in a calm voice: "Sir, I arrived on time for class. I don't understand why you say I am late."

The prefect, in a condescending tone, replies: "Don't take me for an idiot, young man. Your rebellious attitude will not pass under my nose. You risk severe sanctions if you continue like this."

Noah, feeling destabilized by the prefect's hostile attitude, decides to keep calm and not react impulsively. He returns to class, perplexed by this unfair and confusing situation.

—-

The unjustified accusations of being late to school continue more and more each week, leading Noah to regular summons to the prefect. At each meeting, arbitrary sanctions are inflicted on him, making the situation increasingly burdensome for him.

Noah, faced with this repeated injustice, begins to feel the weight of this constant pressure. The monthly visits to the prefect and the unfair sanctions begin to have an impact on his mental health. Little by little, he found himself struggling with more and more frequent anxiety attacks, to the point of having to deal with daily episodes of vomiting before even arriving at school.

—-

Noah walked through the crowded hallways of the school, his friend Aria at his side. At every corner, he felt the elusive gaze of the mysterious boy who seemed to follow him with his gaze. His shy but penetrating eyes captured Noah's attention at every moment. An aura of mystery surrounded this boy, adding a touch of charm to his enigmatic character.

As Noah met his gaze once more, he felt an inexplicable shiver run down his spine. His thoughts jostled, a mixture of curiosity and nascent emotions. A silent intrigue was woven between them, a mute but powerful connection began to emerge. Noah found himself feeling something unusual, a new feeling that awakened in him a sweet shiver of excitement and apprehension.

It was the beginning of a story yet to be written, a chapter that ended on a note of suspense and promise. Noah's heartbeat echoed in the silence of the corridors, announcing the beginning of an adventure full of emotions and discoveries. And in this frozen moment between exchanged glances, the first chapter of his story ended, giving way to the anticipation of what the future had in store for him.