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After getting close with Heart, I found out that we live close to each other. I wouldn't say we're neighbors, but we're in the same neighborhood, so we decided to go to school together.
"Heart, over here!" I called out, waving as she approached.
"Oh, hello there," she replied with a warm smile, catching up to me.
As we started walking, Heart suddenly asked, "You won't worry about your cousin, will you?"
I paused, realizing that Aizen always goes to school with me. "I'll ask him if he can go alone, or do you want him to come with us?" I suggested.
"Let's see what he says first," she replied, seeming open to either option.
We continued walking through the neighborhood, chatting about classes and the upcoming school events. The conversation flowed easily, and I found myself enjoying her company more and more. Soon, we reached Aizen's house, a familiar sight with the memories of my childhood coming to me again.
"Let's stop by and ask him," I said, leading the way to the front door. I knocked lightly, and after a moment, Aizen opened the door, looking a bit surprised to see us both.
"Hey, Aizen," I greeted him. "Heart and I were thinking of going to school together since we live close by. Can you manage on your own today?"
Aizen glanced at Heart, then back at me, his expression thoughtful. After a brief pause, he nodded. "I can go alone," he said quietly, then added with a hint of a smile, "You two go ahead."
Heart smiled at him. "Are you sure, Aizen? You can join us if you want."
Aizen shook his head, a soft but firm response. "I'm sure. I'll see you at school."
Relieved, I returned his smile. "Okay, see you later then."
As we turned to leave, Aizen called out, "Wait a second." He disappeared into the house and returned a moment later with a small water bottle. "Don't forget this," he said, handing it to me.
"Thanks, Aizen," I said, touched by the gesture. "You always look out for me."
Heart and I waved goodbye as we started walking again, heading toward the school. The morning sun was bright, and the streets were starting to fill with other students. "Your cousin is sweet," Heart remarked, glancing back at Aizen's house.
"Yeah, he is," I agreed, feeling a warm sense of pride. "He's a good kid."
"Looks like we've got ourselves a new morning routine," Heart said with a smile as we walked side by side.
"Yeah, and I'm looking forward to it," I replied, the excitement of the day ahead growing stronger with every step we took together.
As we approached the school gates, the bustling energy of students arriving filled the air. I noticed how naturally Heart blended into the crowd, exchanging greetings with several people as we walked through the main entrance. Her confidence was contagious, and I felt a surge of excitement being around her.
I couldn't help but think about Aizen. As we navigated the busy corridors, I wondered if he had managed to make friends of his own. It was something I worried about, considering how shy and reserved he could be. But then, I reminded myself that Aizen had always been good at surprising me. Maybe he had already found his place among his classmates. I hoped he had and pushed the thought aside, trusting that he could handle himself.
"Hey, I want you to meet someone," Heart said, breaking me out of my thoughts. She led me to a small group of students gathered near the lockers. "This is Jillian Flores," she introduced, gesturing to a girl with long dark hair and a friendly smile.
"Hi, nice to meet you," Jillian said, offering her hand.
Jillian seemed instantly likable, with an easygoing demeanor that put me at ease. "So, you're in our year too?" I asked, trying to make conversation.
"Yeah," Jillian answered with a nod.
Jillian said. "Heart and I became friends pretty quickly, and we've been hanging out ever since. She's mentioned you a few times, so it's nice to finally meet you in person."
I shot Heart a curious glance. "She has, huh?"
Heart just shrugged with a smile. "Well, now that we're all here, how about we head to the cafeteria before class starts?"
We all agreed, and as we made our way to the cafeteria, the chatter between us flowed naturally. I found myself laughing at Jillian's stories, enjoying the easy camaraderie that seemed to form so quickly. As we sat down with our breakfast, I realized how much I liked being part of this group, how much I had missed having friends like this around.
For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of belonging, and it was a feeling I wasn't ready to let go of. And though a part of me still worried about Aizen, I knew that this was a new chapter for both of us. He would find his own way, just like I was finding mine.
As the bell rang and we headed to our first class, I couldn't help but think that maybe this year was going to be different in the best way possible.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the last subject, I began packing my things, ready to head home. Heart and Jillian were talking about meeting up later when Aizen appeared at the classroom door. I was about to call him over when he spoke up.
"I'm going home alone today," he said, his voice steady.
I blinked, slightly surprised. "Are you sure? We can walk together."
Aizen shook his head. "It's okay. I've got some things to think about." He gave me a small, reassuring smile. "I'll see you later."
I hesitated, but seeing the determination in his eyes, I nodded. "Alright, take care, Aizen."
He nodded back and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of students. I watched him go, a mix of pride and concern swirling inside me. Aizen was growing up, finding his independence, and while it felt strange to let go, I knew it was something he needed.
"Everything okay?" Heart asked, noticing my thoughtful expression.
"Yeah," I said, turning back to her and Jillian. "I think Aizen's doing just fine."
With that, we headed out of the school, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement. As we walked together, I realized that this new chapter in my life was just beginning, and I was ready to see where it would take me.