The Moon Shines when the Sun Isn't Around

Part 33

As the morning sunlight streamed through the classroom window, Oreo felt a flutter of anticipation. The whispers among her classmates hinted at something exciting, something new. The teacher had mentioned a new student, and curiosity bubbled within her. Who could it be? She absently tapped her pencil against her notebook, her mind drifting as she imagined all the possible scenarios. Would he be nice? Funny? Cute?

Then he walked in. Daron was tall with an effortless confidence that seemed to radiate from him. His dark hair fell just above his eyes, which sparkled with mischief and charm. Oreo could feel her heart race as he scanned the room, a bright smile breaking across his face when he caught sight of her. It felt as if the world had faded into the background, leaving just the two of them in that moment.

"Hey, I'm Daron," he said, his voice warm and inviting.

"Hi, I'm Oreo," she replied, her voice slightly breathless as she tried to gather her composure. She felt exposed under his gaze, yet there was something thrilling about it. His attention made her feel special, and she couldn't help but notice how her cheeks flushed slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Oreo," he said, leaning in a little closer, his interest apparent. "What's your favorite class so far?"

"Definitely psychology," she responded, a spark of enthusiasm igniting within her. "I love learning about how people think and what drives them."

"That's cool. I can see you being good at that," he replied, genuinely interested. "You seem really observant."

Oreo felt a rush of pride at his compliment. She had always prided herself on her ability to read people, to understand their emotions. But this was different; Daron was different. As they continued talking, the noise of the classroom faded away, leaving only the sound of their laughter and shared interests.

But as the conversation flowed, a shadow crossed her mind. She glanced over at King, who was sitting a few seats away. He seemed focused, his brow furrowed in concentration, but she could sense a tension in him. He was her best friend, her confidant, and the thought of leaving him behind for someone new felt like a betrayal. Yet, the pull of Daron was undeniable.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Daron turned to her with that same charming smile. "Hey, want to sit together during lunch?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Oreo hesitated, glancing back at King. She wanted to include him, but Daron's magnetic personality made it hard to resist. "Sure, that sounds great," she said, forcing herself to ignore the slight pang of guilt in her chest.

As they walked to the cafeteria, Daron's voice filled her ears with jokes and stories, making her laugh more than she had in a while. It felt good to be wanted, to be the center of someone's attention. But with every joke, every laugh, she could feel the distance growing between her and King.

When she reached the lunch table, Daron sat across from her, his leg casually brushing against hers. Oreo felt a jolt of electricity at the contact, but her heart sank when she noticed King sitting at the end of the table, his expression unreadable. The warmth that had filled her chest moments before evaporated, replaced by a familiar heaviness.

"Are you okay?" Daron asked, noticing her gaze drift toward King.

"Yeah, just thinking," Oreo replied, forcing a smile. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something important was slipping away.

"You should focus on having fun," Daron said, leaning closer. "I'm glad you're here with me."

As Daron chatted and flirted, Oreo's mind wandered back to King. Why did she care so much about him? They were just friends, after all. Yet the thought of him being upset gnawed at her, creating a tension she couldn't shake off. She wanted to reach out, to reassure him that she still valued their friendship, but each time she tried, the words felt inadequate.

Days turned into weeks, and Oreo found herself drawn into Daron's orbit. They laughed together, shared secrets, and she felt like she was finally stepping out of her shell. But every time she saw King, a shadow of guilt loomed over her, growing heavier with each interaction.