Teaser ;)
The office is quiet, Adrian stands at the desk, fiddling with some papers for a documentation project while Anya stands across from him, looking uneasy. The principal, Adrian's father, is still absent, which leaves the two alone.
Adrian l...
My outfit for the day was simple-a short navy-blue kurti paired with faded wide-leg jeans. The jhumkas I wore swung gently with every movement.
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Yes, those jhumkas.
The ones Adrian had returned to me that day.
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I was perched on a stool in the studio, an easel in front of me. My focus was on the acrylic painting taking shape under my brush, the butterflies on the canvas coming alive with each stroke. I was adding the final details when a voice broke through the stillness.
"Anya?"
I turned, brush still in hand.
It was Max. Blonde hair, bright smile. He was the funny, focused guy from our art class-the one whose pottery skills could rival a professional's. We'd exchanged a few polite smiles before, but this was the first time he'd actually approached me. His confidence was disarming, his smile cheerful.
"Hey," I said, returning the smile as I turned to face him.
"That's amazing," he said, stepping closer to my canvas. His eyes scanned the butterflies taking flight across the painted meadow.
"Thanks," I said, shrugging lightly, following his gaze.
"You're really good at this!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying an unmistakable admiration.
"And you're not so bad yourself," I teased.
He chuckled, the sound light and easy. "It's almost lunchtime. I figured I'd call you up-you looked so lost in painting those butterflies, I thought you might forget to eat."
I glanced at the clock, realizing how much time had slipped by. "Oh, yeah... let's go."
"Wait," I said, hesitating as I stood. "Are we having lunch together?"
He shrugged, the movement casual. "If you want."
Even Hazel hadn't shown up today. Maybe it was time to make new friends.
I shrugged, matching his energy. "I'm down."
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The cafeteria buzzed with the hum of conversation and the clatter of trays, but at our table, the focus was anything but food.
