Forget-me-Not

Chapter 3: The Echo of Memories

The next day, after our first class, the girls and I headed to our next lesson. The hallways were buzzing with the constant hum of chatter—groups of students talking, laughter echoing off the walls, and the sounds of lockers slamming shut. The sunlight streaming through the tall corridor windows added warmth to the scene, even though my mind was elsewhere.

Finn Mercer. Ever since he asked me to work with him, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Why did he choose me? Was it just a coincidence, or did he see something more in me?

"Hey, Emily, what are you staring at?" Jessica nudged me lightly in the arm, her deep-set eyes gleaming with curiosity. She wore that signature confident smile of hers, the one that made it nearly impossible to hide anything from her.

"Nothing, really," I replied with a forced smile. But I knew convincing Jess wouldn't be that easy. She was sharp and always had a knack for sensing when something was up.

"Yeah, right," she laughed lightly. "But you know what? I saw Finn looking at you. Something going on?" She lowered her voice, as if wanting only me to hear.

I felt my cheeks heat up. Could it be true? Did Finn actually notice me? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. I didn't know what to make of it.

Ahead of us, the doors to the math classroom came into view. The room was spacious, with large windows allowing golden rays of sunlight to evenly light the rows of desks. An old wooden blackboard on the wall evoked memories of the past, and posters with math formulas hung on the walls like part of some art installation. As we entered, I managed to push thoughts of Finn aside—if only for a moment.

Mr. Thompson, our math teacher, entered the room with a briefcase under his arm. He wore a sleek blazer in a cool blue-gray that matched his professional yet distant gaze. His thick-rimmed glasses added to his stern appearance, but there was something kind in his eyes, like he truly wanted us to learn, not just demand perfection.

"Good morning, everyone," he said in his calm, low voice. "Today we'll be tackling quadratic equations. It's important you grasp the basics, as this will be the foundation for future topics."

Even though math was a subject I found interesting, my mind wandered, unable to focus. As I sat down and began leafing through my notes, I noticed Finn glancing at me from the back of the room. There was something in his gaze—was it mystery, or perhaps a touch of shyness? Each look from him made my heart beat a little faster.

After class, we headed to the cafeteria. The room buzzed with energy as students laughed and chatted around colorful tables. The walls, decorated with motivational posters, added a sense of vibrancy to the space. The tempting scent of nuggets and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filled the air, teasing our senses.

"So, what are you guys doing this weekend?" Alice asked, balancing a plate full of salad, her blond hair catching the light as her warm eyes looked at us all.

"I was thinking we could check out that new café," Lily said softly, glancing shyly at us from behind her delicate golden curls. "I heard their cakes are amazing."

"Ooh, that sounds great!" Jessica agreed immediately, her dark hair bouncing as she leaned back in her chair. "I've got some free time on Saturday. We should totally go."

"I'm in," I chimed in, excited at the thought of a relaxing day with my friends.

As we sat with our trays in the cafeteria, the conversation flowed back to everyday things. It was noisy, filled with the laughter and chatter of other students. Jessica, looking energized, kicked off the conversation about math class.