The boy stepped out of his house, the cool morning air brushing against his face. With his bag slung over one shoulder and his headset snugly over his ears, he walked down the road toward the school.
The streets became livelier as he neared the campus. Groups of students gathered along the way, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Smiles were exchanged, and excitement seemed to ripple through the crowd. Yet amidst all this energy, he remained detached, a stark contrast to the lively scene around him.
With both hands buried deep in his pockets, he walked at a steady pace. The music in his ears drowned out the noise of the world, isolating him in his own bubble. His face was neither happy nor sad, but carried a weariness that hinted at a deeper fatigue—a tiredness of life itself.
As he approached the school gate, a figure caught his attention. To his left, a girl crossed his path. She wasn't wearing the school uniform, her casual attire making her stand out. Like him, she had headphones on, and her face mirrored his own expression—tired, indifferent, and distant.
For a brief moment, their worlds intersected. He glanced at her as she walked by, but neither of them broke stride. She disappeared into the crowd, her presence lingering in his mind only for a second before he continued forward.
Without looking back, he passed through the school gate, blending into the sea of students around him.