The morning of her first day at Ridgeway High, Vida Robert felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Her heart raced with anticipation. High school wasn't just a new chapter—it was the start of everything she had dreamed about. She had one goal, and it had been with her for as long as she could remember: to become a popular singer and dancer.
Before she left, her mom had given her that familiar, encouraging smile. "You're going to do great, Vida," she said. It was the kind of smile that made Vida feel like nothing was impossible. But as much as her mom believed in her, the pressure of living up to her family's expectations weighed heavily on her shoulders. Still, Vida's dream was clear—nothing else mattered more.
"Don't worry, Mom. I've got this," Vida had reassured her, even though she was a little uncertain about what lay ahead. This was her chance.
The bus ride to school was a blur. Her best friend, Isabel, was talking a mile a minute about the new school year, and James joined in with his usual gossip. But Vida wasn't really listening. Her mind was elsewhere, focused on the auditions, the talent shows, and the moment she could finally show everyone what she could do.
When they arrived at school, Vida felt that familiar mixture of nervous energy and excitement. Ridgeway High was full of new faces and new opportunities, and for a moment, everything felt so big, so overwhelming.
As she stepped off the bus, something immediately caught her attention. There was a strange buzz in the air. Students were gathered, some whispering, some staring in one direction. Vida followed their gazes, and there he was.
Standing by the entrance, leaning against the school door, was a guy she'd never seen before. He was tall, with messy dark hair that fell perfectly into place, and he wore a leather jacket as though he didn't care about anything. He stood alone, looking a little out of place, and yet everyone seemed to be drawn to him.
"Who's that?" Isabel whispered, eyes wide with curiosity.
"I don't know," Vida replied, trying not to let her own curiosity get the better of her.
James, overhearing, grinned. "That's Henry. The new guy. I heard every girl has tried to talk to him, but he's not interested. Total mystery."
Henry didn't seem to care about the attention. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, barely acknowledging the students who walked by. His cool demeanor only made him more intriguing.
"Good luck getting his attention," James added. "Nobody can get through to him. He's got this… wall."
Vida didn't think much of it. She wasn't here for the drama. She had a bigger picture in mind. But even as she tried to push the thought out of her head, she couldn't help but wonder what made Henry so different.
Throughout the day, Vida found herself adjusting to the busy halls of Ridgeway High. She ran into Noah, her childhood best friend, who greeted her with a warm smile. The years had passed, but seeing him again felt like nothing had changed.
"Hey, Vida!" Noah said, giving her a hug. "How's your first day going?"
"Great," she replied with a smile. "A little overwhelming, but I'm getting used to it."
Noah laughed. "Don't worry. You'll do awesome. And if anyone gives you trouble, I've got your back."
His words were comforting, but Vida's thoughts kept drifting to the guy she had seen earlier—Henry. She had no time to dwell on it, though. She was here for herself, for her dream, for her future.
But as the school day went on, Vida couldn't help but hear whispers about Henry. The guy who wouldn't smile, the guy who barely seemed to notice the crowd around him. The girls were all trying to get his attention, but it was like he wasn't even looking at them. There was something about him, something that stood out.
Vida tried to focus on her goal—becoming the best version of herself, the one who would make her dreams come true. But every now and then, she caught herself thinking: Who was Henry really? What made him so different?