BETWEEN HEARTS

Chapter 1

"BETWEEN HEARTS"

Chapter 1

Welcome to my new story!

This is an LGBT+ story, so if you're homophobic, this isn't the place for you!

This story follows the complicated high school lives of individuals marginalized by society, as they discover themselves and their first loves.

I hope you enjoy reading and have fun! 💜

Please don't forget to vote and leave a comment.

#LOVEISLOVE
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Kaner Kandemir—everyone knows what they call him: a walking disaster! A shadow notorious for his clumsiness. Some even think he's crazy, but he's just as normal as anyone else. Well, maybe not in his own eyes. To him, life was hard, unbearable, and all the floors were crooked.

You know what they say about high school: Welcome to hell!

As Kaner walked down the school hallway, his head hung low, dragging his feet with every step. It was the first day of school, and everything felt unfamiliar, cold, and suffocating. His eyes scanned the crowd for his close friend Seyran, but all he could see were the mocking stares. The other students had gathered in groups, laughing loudly and teasing each other. Kaner, on the other hand, had neither the courage nor the desire to speak to anyone other than Seyran. He had hoped for a fresh start in a new school year, but it seemed like the only thing these hallways could offer was more loneliness.

Slowly, he lifted his gaze. On the right side of the hallway, a group of students leaned against the lockers, chatting joyfully as if the world revolved around them. Kaner felt even smaller and more insignificant next to them. Among the faces, he recognized a few. Internally, he cursed. Pakkan! Also known as the nightmare. Quickening his pace, he hoped to reach his classroom—maybe there he could somehow manage to become invisible.

He paused for a moment, trying to regulate his breathing and lowered his head once more. "Hide," he thought. "Hide, and no one will notice you." As always, he wanted to find a quiet corner and remain out of sight. If he could go unnoticed, maybe this year wouldn't be so hard for him. Revealing himself, or worse, who he truly was, to these people was a big risk. He was certain that, like so many times before, they would mock him and push him aside.

When he reached the classroom door, he took a deep breath and tried to pull himself together. Pushing the door open, he entered the room, and for a brief moment, all eyes turned to him. But then, everyone went back to what they were doing. He was relieved that no one cared. Seyran still hadn't shown up. Kaner walked to an empty desk in the far back and sat down. His hands trembled slightly as he opened his bag.

"You've made it this far," he thought. "If you don't leave unless you absolutely have to, maybe you'll manage not to stand out."

Just as these thoughts swirled in his mind, the classroom door opened again, and a student walked in. Alparslan Eymenoğlu. Everyone in town knew him. Kaner, almost involuntarily, lifted his head. Alparslan was perhaps the most popular student in the entire school. With his broad shoulders, confident stride, and effortlessly cool appearance, he drew attention wherever he went. Everyone talked about him, but Kaner could never share his own thoughts about him with anyone.

Alparslan's eyes locked onto the corner where Kaner was seated. The moment their gazes met, Kaner's heart began to race. He quickly looked away, fearing Alparslan might hear the thundering of his heartbeat. A battle raged inside his head: "Don't look at him... Don't give yourself away... Whatever you do, don't embarrass yourself on the first day."

As Alparslan walked past his desk, he gently tapped Kaner on the shoulder. "Hey," he said with a warm smile. Kaner was stunned. He hadn't expected this. His heart pounded loudly in his ears, and a warm feeling spread inside him, growing rapidly. That brief moment seemed to light up all the darkness within him.

"Hey," Kaner muttered without lifting his eyes from the ground. Inside, a storm was brewing, but where that storm would take him—he had no idea yet.