Shadow of Sorrow

I. The Beginning

The rain drizzled against the window of Blackthorn Academy, casting a grey pallor over the classroom. Kaira Blackwood sat in the back, her chin resting on her hand, staring out at the dreary sky. The teacher's voice droned on, but she was lost in her thoughts, a world of swirling emotions that she couldn't quite articulate.

Kaira had perfected the art of invisibility over the years. She moved through the halls like a ghost, unseen and untouched, wrapping herself in a cloak of indifference. Her family problems loomed large in her life—arguments echoing through their small apartment, the silence that followed when her mother would retreat into her room, leaving Kaira to fend for herself. It felt as if she were walking through life wrapped in a thick fog, isolated and alone.

But there was something about today that felt different. She couldn't put her finger on it, a subtle tension in the air that prickled at her senses. As she absentmindedly doodled in her notebook, her eyes caught sight of a new face at the front of the class. Asher Reed.

He had transferred in just last week, and the whispers surrounding him were like wildfire. Tall and quiet, with dark hair that fell into his eyes, he seemed to carry a weight that intrigued Kaira. But she kept her distance, shoving down any curiosity. She didn't need anyone else in her life—especially someone who might see through her carefully constructed walls.

Kaira glanced at Asher again. He was staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought, just like her. A flicker of recognition passed between them, but she quickly looked away, focusing on the world outside rather than the emotions swirling within her.

The day dragged on, but Kaira's mind continued to wander back to Asher. What was it about him that drew her in? Was it the quiet intensity in his gaze or the way he seemed so out of place among the chattering students?

By the time the final bell rang, Kaira felt exhausted. She grabbed her bag and slipped out of the classroom, but before she could retreat into the solitude of her thoughts, she heard a voice call out to her.

"Hey!"

Kaira froze, turning slowly to see Asher standing a few feet away, his expression tentative. The hallway was mostly empty, the chatter of students fading into the background.

"Um, I'm Asher," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, a hint of nervousness in his demeanor.

Kaira regarded him coolly, unwilling to let her guard down. "I know who you are."

His brow furrowed slightly, as if he was trying to gauge her mood. "Right. Well, I was wondering... do you have any idea where the history room is? I think I might've gotten lost."

Her first instinct was to shrug him off, to retreat back into the safety of her solitude. But something in his eyes—a mixture of vulnerability and determination—made her hesitate. Instead, she responded curtly, "It's down that hallway, second door on the left."

"Thanks," he replied, a small smile breaking through his initial nervousness. There was a warmth to him that made Kaira's heart feel oddly heavy. She didn't want to feel anything.

Asher turned to walk away but paused, looking over his shoulder. "You know, if you ever want to study together or... I don't know, just hang out, I'm around."

Kaira opened her mouth to respond, but the words got stuck in her throat. She didn't want to be vulnerable, didn't want to allow anyone into her life, especially someone like Asher. Instead, she just nodded curtly, feeling a flicker of annoyance at herself for even considering the idea.

"Okay, then," he said, disappointment creeping into his voice. He walked away, and Kaira felt an unexpected pang of regret.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She didn't need friends; she didn't need anyone. That was the way it had always been, and that was the way it would continue to be.