Julie's POV
The walk to school with Luke was strange mix of awkward and comforting and I just met him... we didn't say much after our hugging due to me crying about Nick... but there was something calming about his presence, like he didn't need to fill the silence with unnecessary words. I'm still trying to process everything when we finally reached the school gates.
The familiar sight of the building doesn't bring the usual joy in me from the dread this morning. Maybe it's because I'm too distracted by everything that's been happening lately. Or maybe for the first time in a while that I'm not walking alone...
We both glance at the entrance, and I glance over at Luke. He's staring straight ahead, like he's deep in though. I wonder what's going through his mind. Does he regret walking with me? Was he just being polite?
"Thanks, for um, walking with me..." I say breaking the silence. My voice sounds small even to my own ears
Luke turns to me, his expression softening. "Anytime, Julie..." he says, his tone genuine. There's a warmth in his eyes that makes me think he actually means it.
We stand there for a moment longer, neither one of us quite sure what to say next. The morning rush of students begin to swell around us, almost breaking us apart. But to me it feels like we're in our own bubble disconnected from the chaos.
"I guess I'll see you around?" I manage to say, not really wanting this moment to end, but also not knowing how to keep it going.
"Yeah." He nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "See you around."
I turn to head inside, and for the first time since last night... I don't feel completely lost. Maybe, just maybe, today won't be so bad after all.
Luke's POV
first day isn't so bad... I managed to keep up with the boys for the day, making strange eye contact with Julie on the other side of the class room. There's something about her that I can't quite figure out yet. It's like there's more to the story behind those eyes of hers. Something deeper than just the break up, and the first day jitters...
"Today class, you'll be going into groups and I will be picking out the groups this time..." our teacher says and some people groan at the thought of losing their best friends.
"First stop... Luke, and..." she looks around the room "Julie...I will tell you what you'll be doing when I get everyone in their groups."
My heart skips a beat, out of all people in this class, I'm paired up with her. It's strange— we just met, yet there's a connection that I can't ignore. I glance over at her, and she meets my gaze, giving me a small smile, uncertain smile. I return it, trying to convey that I'm glad we're paired up, even if I'm not entirely sure why.
As the teacher continues pairing up people in small groups, I let my mind wonder back to the walk to school, Julie seemed distant, lost in her own thoughts, and I didn't want to push her, but now with us being paired together, maybe I'll get a chance to know her better.
As soon as she finishes, I make my way towards Julie and pulling a chair next to her "hey partner." I say, as she smiles softly at me "Alrighty now that you guys have been assigned, you each will draw from this hat to find out what you're doing... and no, you may not put it back in the hat if you don't like it..."
The teacher goes to us first and Julie pulls the little crumbled piece of paper from the hat and smiles when she sees what it is "Local historical Exploration..." she reads allowed
The teacher goes around the room and as soon as she finishes the bell rings "Well, kids. Have fun on your projects...they are due next week on Friday...that gives plenty of time to finish them."
We walk out of the classroom, again with the awkward silence, not really sure what to say next but then she looks up, meeting my gaze and there's something there— something unspoken that makes me want to reach out, to let her know that whatever it is, she doesn't need to go through it alone...
"So, uh, you want to meet up later? To start on the project?" I ask, not trying to sound so eager
"Sure." She says, her voice a little steadier this time, "I'll text you."
"Cool." I nod, and we exchange numbers. As she turns to leave, I can't help but think this is the beginning of something important, something more than just a project...
