Beautiful encounter

CHAPTER 7

The bell rang, signaling that classes were about to begin. Soren and I exchanged a quick glance before heading towards our classrooms. As we approached the door, we were greeted by Katharina's familiar, joyous face. "We've been waiting for you two!" she said with a wide smile. Her energy was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile back. Behind her, I noticed the others sitting in a circle, chatting away like they always did before class.

I slid into the circle beside Soren, feeling the warmth of their presence. We shared stories from the morning, small things that somehow felt significant when we talked about them together. Laughter bubbled up every few minutes, bouncing off the walls of the room, filling the space with a sense of belonging. It was moments like these that made everything else fade away-the stress of homework, the expectations from home. All that mattered was the bond we shared, the way we could be ourselves around each other without judgment.

Before we knew it, the teacher walked in, bringing with him the quiet that always followed his arrival. We settled down, exchanging quick glances and stifled grins as the lesson began. Though the material wasn't all that exciting, having everyone around made it bearable, even enjoyable in a way.

When class finally ended, it was time to go home. I used to look forward to this moment-the freedom of leaving school, the comfort of my own space-but lately, things had changed. I found myself lingering by the classroom door, not quite ready to leave. The thought of going home felt heavier, like it didn't hold the same appeal anymore. Instead, I wanted to stay with them, with Soren and Katharina and the rest of the group. They were the reason I looked forward to coming to school every day. They were the reason I pushed myself to do well in class. It wasn't just about grades or getting through the day anymore-it was about them, and how they made everything brighter.

With a sigh, I grabbed my bag, but my heart stayed behind, anchored in that classroom with the people who had come to mean so much to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, I arrived at school early, as usual-around 6 a.m. The campus was quiet, the morning stillness making it feel like I had the whole place to myself. I found my usual spot in the classroom, sat down, and soon drifted off to sleep. I don't know how long I slept, but I was jolted awake by the sound of loud chatter. The once-empty classroom had filled up while I dozed off, and now the hallways were buzzing with students arriving for the day. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the grogginess, and glanced around to see familiar faces trickling in one by one.

Soren was the first of my friends to show up, flashing me a grin as he dropped his bag onto the desk beside mine. Not long after, Ate Yang strolled in with her usual calm demeanor, followed by Tricia and Ate Cath, their lively conversation filling the room. Katharina was the last to arrive, greeting everyone with her trademark energy and joy. It didn't take long for us to settle into our usual rhythm, catching up on small details of the morning as more students poured into the room.

The bell rang, and the teacher entered to start the day's lesson. We all quieted down, turning our attention to the front of the room. The discussion felt like a blur; my mind wandered from time to time, but knowing my friends were nearby made the class feel less daunting. Finally, the lesson ended, and it was time for recess.

As soon as we gathered outside the classroom, Soren's face lit up with excitement. "Guess what?" he said, his eyes gleaming.

"What?" Tricia asked, leaning in curiously.

"Remember the guy I told you about yesterday?" Soren asked, barely containing his excitement.

"Ah, yes," Katharina nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

"Well, he messaged me!" Soren announced proudly, practically bouncing on his feet.

A chorus of high-pitched squeals erupted from Tricia, Kath, and Soren, their collective excitement echoing around us. We all burst into laughter at their reaction, the contagious energy making it impossible not to join in.

"There's more!" Soren added, his voice even more animated now.

"More?" I asked, intrigued by what could possibly top the news.

"He asked me to go out with him!" Soren exclaimed, his excitement reaching new heights.

The group erupted into another round of cheers, everyone caught up in Soren's happiness. It was impossible not to smile; seeing him so thrilled about something warmed my heart.

"But wait," Ate Yang chimed in, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "How did he find your social media account?"

Soren let out a mischievous laugh before answering. "Well, apparently, when he saw me yesterday, he was *enchanted* by me," he said dramatically, drawing out the word for effect. "So he did some digging, realized we have a lot of mutual friends, and found my account. That's when he messaged me!" He threw his head back and cackled like a villain in a movie, and we all doubled over in laughter.

"Well, Soren," Ate Cath said, trying to catch her breath from laughing, "I believe this is the start of your love life."

We laughed even harder, tears forming in our eyes from the sheer joy of the moment. It felt good-this easy banter, this shared happiness. In moments like these, I realized how lucky I was to have found this group, to have friends who made every day feel special in its own little way.

And of course, I couldn't help but feel genuinely happy for Soren. Finally, it seemed like he had found someone special, someone who could be *the one* for him. Among all of us, it had been just him, Ate Yang, and Kath who were still single. Not that being in a relationship is a requirement or anything-it never has been. But there's something undeniably beautiful about finding that connection with someone outside of your circle of friends.

Seeing the excitement in Soren's eyes made me realize how much it meant to him. And honestly, I understood. There's a certain comfort in knowing that there's someone who cares for you in a different way, someone who sees you in a light that's special and unique. Having friends is one of the greatest blessings, but having someone who is yours in that intimate, personal way... it's reassuring. It's knowing that when the world feels heavy, there's a person who will stand by your side, just as your friends do, but in a deeper, quieter way.

I've always believed that love comes in many forms, and I feel so lucky to have the love of my friends and maki surrounding me. But watching Soren glow with excitement, seeing him step into this new chapter of his life, made me realize how wonderful it feels to have both-the unwavering love of friends and the tender affection of someone who sees you in a way no one else does.