Cold Water

FIVE

                ♡BRANDON♡

    The next day at school, everything felt the same-the crowded hallways, the low murmur of students talking, and the usual buzz that filled the air.

   But something was different, at least for me. I felt lighter, like a small weight had been lifted, though I wasn't exactly sure why.

  When I walked into class, my eyes immediately found Athalia. She was sitting at her seat, her eyes already bright with energy, a smile tugging at her lips as she scribbled something in her notebook.

  Her slightly curly hair cascaded down her shoulders, and she glanced up just as I reached my seat.

  "Hey, Brandon." she chirped, her voice as bubbly as ever.

  I gave a small nod, sliding into my seat beside her. "Hi."

  She tilted her head, her curiosity already in full swing. "Did you see the sunset yesterday?"

  I froze for a second, surprised that she brought it up so casually. I hadn't expected her to remember, much less ask.

I nod.

"So, what did you think?"

"It was... nice," I muttered, trying not to sound too awkward.

  Her eyes lit up as if my simple answer was the best thing she'd heard all day. "Right? I told you, sunsets are magical. I love watching them-it's like a little piece of calm at the end of the day."

I hesitated for a moment, then reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.

  The picture I had taken last night felt like a small, private connection between us, even if I hadn't shared it yet. "I, uh... took a picture," I said quietly, sliding my phone toward her.

  Athalia's eyes widened, and she grabbed the phone eagerly, her smile growing even wider as she looked at the photo.

"Brandon, this is beautiful. Wow, I didn't think you were into sunsets like that."

I shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed but also weirdly proud. "I guess I noticed it because of what you said."

  Her smile softened, and she looked at me with something like appreciation in her eyes. "I'm glad. It's nice to know that my sunset obsession isn't just mine anymore."

  Before I could respond, the bell rang, signalling the start of class. Athalia handed my phone back, giving me a quick, meaningful glance before turning her attention to the front.

  But I could still feel the warmth of her words and the way she'd looked at me as if I'd just shared something important, even if it was just a picture of the sky.

  As the teacher started talking, I found myself thinking about her again-the way she always seemed to find beauty in the simplest things and how that was slowly rubbing off on me.

  Maybe today wasn't going to be like every other day after all.

~~~~~~~~

  When lunch came around, I found myself walking toward the cafeteria with a strange sense of anticipation.

  Athalia had been sitting next to me all morning, her usual energy buzzing around me like a soft glow, but I hadn't really said much. Still, there was something about her presence that made the day feel... lighter.

  I grabbed a tray of food and scanned the room for an open spot, but before I could go too far, Athalia popped up beside me, her eyes shining as usual.

  "Wanna sit together?" she said, motioning to an empty table by the windows.

  I nod.

  I followed her, nodding without saying much. Once we sat down, she immediately launched into a story about something funny that happened in her last class, and I just listened, giving the occasional nod or quiet chuckle.