Unspoken

New Horizons

The morning sunlight crept through the curtains as Selena's mom gently knocked on her door, her familiar voice calling, "Selena, it's time to wake up!" In an instant, Selena sprang to life.

She was never one to linger in bed—she was always up early, always punctual. Moving with the brisk efficiency of someone who despises being late, Selena quickly dressed in her green uniform, brushed her hair into its usual neat bangs, and slid on her glasses. With her backpack slung over one shoulder, she dashed to the front door, pausing just long enough to grab her bicycle helmet.

Outside, the streets were still quiet, but Selena was already pedaling fast, the cool morning air whipping past as she raced toward school.

Selena arrived at school with time to spare, her bicycle parked neatly in the rack outside. She made her way down the familiar corridors to 8th grade, Section A, and pushed open the door to her classroom.

Inside, a calm stillness filled the room, the soft morning light filtering through the windows and casting gentle patterns on the empty desks. The faint scent of chalk and old textbooks lingered in the air, and Selena felt a sense of comfort in the quietness.

Alone in the room, she walked over to her usual seat by the window, placing her bag down and settling in. It was her favorite time of day, the peaceful moments before anyone else arrived, when the world felt as if it belonged just to her.

As Selena sat alone, her mind drifted back to the previous day, replaying Daniel's words over and over. "Watch your back," he'd whispered as he brushed past her in the hallway, his tone low but unmistakably serious. She'd tried to ignore him, pretending his warning was nothing, just a meaningless taunt. But now, in the silence of the classroom, his words echoed in her mind, and she couldn't shake them.

Why would he say that? she wondered, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. What did I even do to him?

She remembered his sharp gaze, the way he'd smirked at her reaction as if he was testing her nerves. Maybe he's just trying to scare me, she thought, forcing herself to look out the window, hoping the familiar view would calm her racing heart.

"He's just one guy, and he probably says that to everyone," she whispered to herself, trying to shake off the anxiety. But deep down, a tiny voice whispered back, What if he really means it?

About ten minutes later, the quiet of the classroom started to fade as students began filing in, voices and footsteps filling the air. Selena sat back, watching them settle into their usual places.

But one girl immediately caught her eye. She walked in with an effortless grace, her long, blonde hair swept up into a high ponytail that cascaded down her back. Her skin was fair, almost glowing in the morning light, and she stood tall, with a natural confidence that Selena couldn't help but admire. Her uniform fit perfectly, accentuating her slender frame in a way that seemed almost too flawless. Selena felt a twinge of something unfamiliar—a mix of awe and curiosity—as she watched her. She's everything I'm not, Selena thought, almost holding her breath. So beautiful...

To Selena's surprise, the blonde girl walked over and slid into the seat beside her. "Good morning!" she greeted cheerfully, her voice sweet and light.

Selena blinked, unsure how to respond at first. Why is she talking to me? But Olivia's warm smile made it easier to answer. "G-Good morning," Selena replied, her voice soft.

"I'm Olivia Garcia," the girl said, introducing herself with a genuine smile. "You must be Selena, right?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm Selena." She glanced at Olivia, her nerves still tingling, but Olivia's friendly energy put her at ease.