Today is the first day of senior high. Woo. Yippee. Couldn't tell by that text that was sarcasm.
I already did this song and dance before, it's honestly not that special once you get over the whole 'first' of it. Because yeah, it's the first day but it will also be the first of many months of just going through the motions.
You wake up, get ready, go to school, do a million tasks and group work, go home, and barely get a full 8 hours of sleep. Rinse and repeat.
So let's skip the getting ready part and enter the school. I tried not to draw attention to myself, I even thought today would go on well but of course–
"Aurelia!"
–I was wrong.
I turned around. Seliana and the other girl approached me. I almost backed away and ran but kept my feet glued to the ground.
"Hey, Aurelia!" Seliana said, "Where'd you be girl? I've been trying to call you all summer."
"Oh you did? Huh…" I clicked my tongue, "I was busy–actually I'm busy right now, so I will see you guys later. Alright?"
The girls just stared at me. Not the sweetest thing to say to your friend. But they're not my friends. I stepped a few feets backward and left them without another glance.
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I forgot how noisy a classroom could be. I also forgot how awkward it is to just sit silently while everyone chats so easily. A part of me regrets distancing myself from the girls, they weren't my friends, don't get me wrong, they will never be my friends, but at least I was a part of something. Now I'm alone.
I sighed as soon enough the school bell rang through the hall, students scrambled to their seats. The teacher arrived seconds later, "Good morning everyone," She stood behind her small desk, "So most of you probably know each other well since you've been classmates since primary school."
Well, shit I don't. I don't even think I remember some of my classmate's faces well.
"Well, this year we have two transfer students who will be joining us."
I watched anticipation rise within the classroom, others looked surprised, half looked interested and a few had little reactions or rather a less positive reaction. Shoulders slumped down, face scrunched up. Wondering if these new students will be a friend or someone they'll have to turn the other way when walking down the hallway.
"Please come in." The teacher called out.
After a moment a young boy walked in. His hair was cut short, neat, and practical. The vest was slightly askew, and the tie loosened, a slight slouch of the shoulders.
Murmurs and giggles arose from the class.
Soon another entered, a young girl with long hair cascading down her back with soft curls. Her eyes, magnified slightly by the rectangular glasses perched on her nose. Clad in the formal attire of academia—a neatly pressed dark blazer over a crisp, light-colored shirt, accented with the dark lines of a plaid tie.
"Now please introduce yourself to the class."
The boy went first, facing towards our classmates, "Hello, I'm Luke Kaiser. Nice to meet you."
Next was the girl, who avoided eye contact at first, "Hi my name is Catherine Enderson, but you can call me Cassie."
Catherine and Luke, female and male lead. I rested my chin on my palm as I stared at those two.
Let the plot officially begin.
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The end of the class came not a moment too soon. As the bell rang,, the students eagerly packed their bags, chatting about their plans for the break. Catherine seemed to hesitate, glancing in my direction with an unreadable expression.
I, on the other hand, had already gathered my belongings. As soon as the teacher dismissed us, I was up and out of my seat, weaving through the sea of students, I could feel Catherine's gaze on me, but I didn't dare to meet her eyes.
Exiting the classroom, I quickened my pace, not wanting to be caught in any sort of interaction. I could hear Catherine's voice softly calling, "Aurelia!" but I didn't stop.
Throughout the day, our paths crossed multiple times – in the cafeteria as I was buying food, in the hallway between classes, even near the lockers. Each time, I made sure to turn away, avoiding her gaze and any chance of conversation.
Finally, seeking solitude, I found myself in a secluded part of the school. It was a quiet corner, away from the hustle of student life, with a single bench under an old, sprawling tree. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, creating a serene atmosphere.
Sitting down, I let out a long sigh, my thoughts racing. In the original plot Catherine tried to make friends with Aurelia but she turned her away in fact she bullied her a lot. I don't plan on bullying her by any means but I don't plan on making friends with her either. If I do it could change the plot drastically, it's better to keep a low profile and not make a bigger mess than what I started.
There's also another reason, logically it would be better to be friends with her so I wouldn't be labeled as a villainess, but wouldn't that make our friendship insincere, I, who only wanted to be nice to her for my own conscience. No, I rather not make the effort to make fake relationships like that. It's better to be alone, I'm used to it anyway.
I began to unpack my lunch from the cafeteria. The food was neatly arranged in the container, each item was placed with care, yet my appetite was minimal. Nevertheless I tried to eat.
The sound of soft footsteps broke my reverie. I tensed, half-expecting it to be one of the "friends" from the plot, but the voice that called out was gentle, familiar.
"Hey, Aurelia," Catherine said softly, standing a few feet away. Her expression was kind, but cautious, as if she was afraid of scaring me away. "I wanted to ask if I could join you?"
The question hung in the air, I wanted to refuse, don't get close to me but that would be rude and mean and villainess like even. So, with a sigh I nodded, gesturing to an open space next to me.
Catherine took a step forward, sitting at the other end of the bench. We ate in silence for a moment, the rustling leaves above us the only sound. .
After a moment, Catherine broke the silence, "I've been trying to talk to you, you know? Thinking I could maybe eat lunch with you or hang out."
"Huh..And I thought you would be eating with that new guy, Luke?"
"Oh, well he..he's going to hang out with his new friends, and.." She fidgeted slightly, "I haven't really met anyone that could be my friends here."
I hesitated, finding the right words. "I'm sure you'll find some. You're…"
The heroine
"...nice." I finished.
"Is that so?" Catherine looked at me, " But I wanted to be friends with you specifically."
Her words took me aback. "What? Why me?"
"Because, your family, and I wanted to talk to you for the longest time." She sighed as she made a move to stand up, "But I know you seem uncomfortable around me. I don't know what I did but if you want me to stop bothering you, I will. I'm sorry Aurelia."She turned to leave.
"Wait no–it's not like that." I spoke up, Catherine stopped, "It's…It's not like I don't want to be friends with you. It's just..I can't…" I stammered, "I just don't want you to think you did anything wrong because you didn't."
Catherine turned back to me, "Then why are you avoiding me?"
Because I'm scared, I don't know what to do.
"Because…I'm..shy," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to interact with people, especially people I haven't known for a long time."
The air was thick as Catherine absorbed my explanation, her eyes searching mine for something—understanding, perhaps.
"I get it," she finally said, "Making new friends can be really tough, especially in a place like this. And, well, I can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.".
"You're not overwhelming," I quickly said, "You're really not, it's just... new for me. This whole... school, people, everything."
Catherine nodded, "We can take it slow, you know? No pressure to be best friends overnight or anything. Maybe just... lunch buddies for now?"
The idea was strange, lunch buddies was a nickname I was not on board with but. It was comforting in a way, a simple, low-stakes connection that didn't demand more than I was ready to give.
"I'd like that," I found myself smiling for the first time since this morning, "Lunch buddies."
Her smile widened, "Great!" Catherine exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "And hey, if you ever feel up to it, maybe we can hang out after school too. But no pressure, okay?"
I nodded, the idea of after-school hangouts still a distant thought, but not entirely unwelcome. As we finished our lunch in comfortable silence, the bell rang, we stood up, gathering our things. Catherine gave me a small wave, I returned the gesture, feeling a sense of ease I hadn't known in a while.
Walking back to class, the weight of the world felt a little lighter. Maybe I don't have to fake a friendship just to have one, because this could be a good change. A change I'm willing to go through this time. Maybe, just maybe.