Beautiful encounter

CHAPTER 4: New friend

The sharp sound of my alarm pierced through the quiet, dragging me out of my sleep. Groggily, I reached for my phone on the nightstand and squinted at the screen. 5:00 AM. I unlocked it and opened my messages, typing out a quick text to Maki: "Good morning, babii" . A small smile tugged at my lips as I imagined his reaction.

I set the phone aside, stretched out my arms, feeling the tension in my muscles loosen slightly. With a yawn, I pulled myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The cool water from the shower helped me wake up fully, washing away the remnants of sleep. After drying off, I slipped into my neatly pressed school uniform, adjusting the collar in front of the mirror until it looked just right.

Opening the door, the familiar scent of breakfast hit me before I even made it to the kitchen. There was my mom, standing by the stove, her movements practiced and graceful. “ Good morning mom,” I greeted, walking over to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. She smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Morning, sweetheart,” she replied as she placed a plate of eggs and toast on the table.

I sat down at the dining table, the clinking of silverware accompanying the quiet hum of the morning news on TV. As I started eating, I couldn't help but feel a bit more energized, ready to take on the day ahead.

After finishing my breakfast, I hurriedly prepared myself and headed out to catch the bus to school. The ride was uneventful, and soon I arrived at the campus, greeted by the peaceful silence of the early morning. A cool breeze swept across the grounds, carrying with it a sense of calm that I knew wouldn’t last once the students began to arrive. For now, though, it was serene, almost like the campus was holding its breath before the rush of the day.

As I made my way to the classroom, I couldn’t help but take in the tranquil ambiance. The empty hallways felt like a world apart from the chaos that would soon unfold. Once inside, I slipped into my usual seat and let out a small sigh. The quiet comfort wouldn’t last.

I glanced at the empty desk beside me, waiting for Soren. He’s the only real friend I’ve got at the moment, and while I’m friendly enough with the others, I don’t feel particularly close to any of them. It’s not that I don’t want to make more friends—it’s just easier this way, less complicated. For now, I guess I don’t have much of a choice.

It was still early, and with the classroom nearly empty and the peaceful quiet still hanging in the air, I decided to take advantage of the calm. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a soft sigh and closed my eyes, hoping to steal a few minutes of rest before the day officially began.

The soft hum of the air conditioner and the distant sound of birds chirping outside were soothing, lulling me into a light doze. I could still feel the cool breeze coming through the window, a gentle reminder of the peacefulness that wouldn’t last much longer. The thought of the classroom soon being filled with chatter and noise made me appreciate this fleeting moment of solitude even more.

I rested my head on my folded arms, feeling the cool surface of the desk beneath me. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, but it was enough. For now, I could relax, if only for a little while, before the hustle of the school day pulled me back into its rhythm.

A minute into my nap, I felt a soft touch on my arm, pulling me gently from the light slumber I had just slipped into. Groggy and a little disoriented, I blinked my eyes open, only to be met with a face that made me pause. Damn, she was pretty.