Girl from Parallel universe -Part 1

3 | Clever move

"Are you alright?" The concern in the boy's voice pulled Grace out of her thoughts, and she took a step back, meeting his gaze head-on. His eyes, a striking shade of green, seemed to search hers for some hidden truth, his hand extended in a gesture of genuine concern.

"Yeah, sorry," Grace replied, her voice soft as she offered a small apologetic smile.

"The librarian said you need help," the boy continued, taking a step closer, his demeanor shifting from concern to curiosity.

"So, you're Lucas," Grace remarked, her eyes scanning his features as he turned to face her. There was a hint of surprise in his expression, as if he hadn't expected someone like her to cross paths with him.

"Yeah, I am Lucas," he confirmed, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips. "And I guess you haven't noticed, but you share a seat with me."

"Oh," Grace exclaimed, a faint blush tinting her cheeks. Despite her attempts to remain composed, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment at the oversight. Nevertheless, she decided to embrace the moment and be a little more social.

"I'm Grace Wargrave," she introduced herself, extending her hand towards him in a gesture of friendship.

With a smile, Lucas shook her hand, his grip firm yet gentle. "Nice to meet you, Grace," he replied warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he returned her handshake.

"So, what can I help you with?" Lucas inquired, gesturing for her to follow as he led her towards row 8. "What kind of genres do you read?"

Grace fell into step beside him, her curiosity piqued by his question. She considered his inquiry for a moment before replying, "I don't read so often. What do you suggest?"

As they wandered through the rows of books, Lucas began to weave a tapestry of literary recommendations, his passion for reading evident in the animated expression on his face. Grace listened intently, drawn in by his enthusiasm and the wealth of knowledge he possessed.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they discussed everything from classic novels to contemporary bestsellers, their shared love of literature bridging the gap between them.

"In that case, you can take a book from my personal collection. You know, school libraries don't have many interesting books," Lucas offered graciously, his voice tinged with genuine warmth.

The bell rang, signaling the end of recess. Grace and Lucas walked side by side towards the gym. Lucas's best friend had yet to arrive, leaving the two of them to navigate the bustling halls together.

As they entered the gym, Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of Lucas walking alongside a new girl—someone who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere to steal the spotlight. Hazel, ever the voice of reason, attempted to quell Olivia's rising panic, urging her to maintain composure in front of the coach.

"Calm down, Olivia. The coach can hear you," Hazel whispered urgently, casting a pointed glance at the stern figure overseeing the gym activities. The other girls exchanged furtive glances as they observed the scene unfolding before them, their curiosity piqued by the arrival of the mysterious newcomer.

Meanwhile, the coach's attention was immediately drawn to Grace as she entered the gym, her confident demeanor and athletic prowess impossible to ignore. With a keen eye for talent, he wasted no time in addressing her directly.

"Grace Wargrave, right?" the coach greeted her, his tone respectful yet authoritative. Grace nodded in response, a hint of anticipation in her eyes as she awaited his next words.