Bryson's eyes scanned the bustling hallway, a tapestry of backpacks, hurried footsteps, and snippets of conversation. His mind, however, was tangled up in thoughts about his English essay, an assignment that had stubbornly resisted his best ideas. He'd spent hours brainstorming, but every concept felt incomplete, a jigsaw missing its final piece. The hall seemed to blur as he walked, students parting like waves in his pathâuntil he collided with a soft but unyielding form.
Books and papers exploded like confetti, fluttering down around them. Bryson stumbled backward, heat rushing to his face as he stammered apologies. He looked up to find the girl he'd bumped into staring at him with wide, surprised eyes. They just stood there for a heartbeat, locked in a moment of shared surprise.
"I'm so sorry!" he blurted, scrambling to gather the scattered papers. The girl smiled, and a spark of warmth softened her features as her eyes crinkled at the corners. "It's okay. I'm fineâjust a little... rumpled."
He chuckled, noting how "rumpled" was the perfect word. Her long, curly black hair was tousled, framing her face in an almost intentional cascade. Her bright yellow sundress was twisted slightly, its cheerful color contrasting with the flurry of notebooks and folders surrounding them. As they both stood, Bryson couldn't help but notice her warm, golden-brown skin that seemed to glow under the hallway lights, and her eyesâa vivid, oceanic blue that sparkled as if they held secrets of their own. A thrill sparked in his chest, catching him off guard, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside. He didn't even know her name.
"I'm Bryson," he said, extending a hand.
"Aurora," she replied, her handshake firm but gentle. She dropped a smile that was both mischievous and inviting as if they shared an unspoken joke. Bryson felt an unexpected sense of ease wash over him, as if meeting Aurora had unlocked a part of himself, he hadn't known was waiting. Little did he know, this chance collision in the crowded hallway would mark the beginning of something far beyond a fleeting connection.
 "I'm still sorry for what happened" he added his apologies with a cute smile. "No worries it's fine, mistakes happen" she concluded, staring at each other her eyes couldn't go off Bryson's brown cute eye, but she had to let go, "see you around... Bryson," she said before leaving his warm and cool presence. Her eyes filled with uncertain happiness.
 From a distance across the large hallway, Caspian watched the whole off-romantic scenario. As he turned to leave, he bumped into Julian, who was rushing to his next class. "Hey, watch it!" Julian exclaimed, his eyes flashing with anger. Caspian smiled wryly. "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." Julian's expression softened slightly. "It's okay. I'm just stressed out. We have a big test coming up." Caspian nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I know how you feel. But hey, maybe I can help you study. I'm pretty good at retaining information." Julian raised an eyebrow. "Really? What's the secret?" Caspian grinned mischievously. "Let's just say I have my ways."
 "Bryson Lee", an aged voice called out as he turned around to behold the figure standing right behind him, it was Mrs. Jersen, "hi Mrs. Jersen, didn't see you there, hope you're good?" he said while walking side by side with his teacher, "well I'm okay, Bryson, thanks for caring for old Mrs. Jersen." She added walking somewhat sluggishly because of her old age, as they both chuckled, "Mrs. Jersen, we'll scared for the big exam." Bryson added with a scared facial expression scribbled all over his face, suddenly she stopped in her tracks, turned, and stared at him, then added, "Bryson Lee, I've known you for a pretty long time, and you are a brilliant champ of this school, I assure you kiddo, this exam won't be difficult for you, okay!" she assured him and stepped forward a bit, as Bryson stayed back and took a few breaths in then out, as he watched Mrs. Jersen walking into her office, " well I hope that's true" he mumbled under his breath as he headed to his class.
 Silence throned the air as the principal walked majestically into their class with a student beside her, " settled down" she said, her voice cooperated in a bossy tone and her sweet American accent, she added, " I'm simply here to inform you all of a new student who just joined our school and she moving into the 12th grade, pls welcome" she said then paused as she turned to the girl standing beside her and added, " Aurora Stanford", she walked to the front of the class with a shy smile on her face, just then Bryston eyes opened in excitement as he suddenly recognized her holy beauty at one glance, " so from now, she's your new classmate, thank you" the principal said as she exited the class with all pride and glory. Aurora walked slowly to take her seat at the rear end, she heard her name," Aurora, why not sit here, this chair is free" he added or rather that was his first move, she silently accepted his offer and sat down behind him, looking all shy she was silent throughout the class session.
It was passing noon already as the school bell suddenly rang in anticipation, after some seconds the hallway became as rowdy and crowded as ever. "Wanna grab lunch today at the cafeteria, Aurora", he slowly said, many things flowing in his mind on what her answers would be next, as he stared at her thinking over it, his mind came to rest as she replied, "yeah, that will be nice".
 "Taking numerous glances at Aurora was quite fascinating as he couldn't help but keep on taking them, after some while he broke the silence, "Why did you come on transfer", that wasn't the type of question she wanted to receive at that time but to cook up something, after taking some seconds to analyze she said, " family relocated, so had to change my school" she added, "how you enjoying the food, hope it's nice" Bryson questioned, yeah, I love it, they have good cooks here", she complimented and smiled at him." Thank you so much, Bryson," she said with a cute smile landing on her face, "you're welcome, besides I'm just showing you around" he replied. "Thanks"