When We Were Us

Episode 1 - Dilkashi: A Glance that Lingered

Stage of Love: Dilkashi (Attraction)

The morning sun spilled like honey across the gates of Westbridge High, casting golden halos around cherry blossoms in full bloom. Petals floated lazily through the air, gliding past polished shoes and ironed uniforms as students streamed into the school grounds. There was something magical about this moment—like time itself was stretching to take a breath.

Elena Carter walked through the front gates with her usual grace, her long black hair swaying gently behind her like a silk ribbon. Conversations hushed as she passed, though she never seemed to notice the way eyes followed her. Tall enough to command attention but humble enough not to seek it, she was the girl you noticed first and remembered last.

"Morning, Elena!" a classmate called out cheerfully.

She smiled politely, the kind of smile that could make someone believe the day was already worth it.

Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was buzzing with the energy of a new school term. Desks were being shifted, chatter bounced from wall to wall, and students tried to sneak in final moments of gossip before the bell rang.

At the back of the room, Ethan Blake sat alone. Tall and lanky with slightly unruly hair falling over his glasses, he looked completely absorbed in the sketchpad on his desk. The soft scratch of his pencil was the only sound in his world. He wasn’t like the others—never had been. Too quiet, too distant. But today… something would change.

The classroom door creaked open.

"Good morning, everyone," said the teacher as she stepped in. “Before we begin, there's a slight change in the seating chart.”

A collective groan followed.

“Elena, you’ll be moving to the back. You’ll sit next to Ethan Blake.”

Ethan's pencil paused mid-line.

Elena blinked, then nodded without question. Her heels clicked softly against the tile floor as she walked past rows of desks, stopping beside his. She didn’t hesitate. She never did.

“Hey,” she said as she sat down, her voice light and warm.

Ethan glanced sideways, barely meeting her eyes. “Hi,” he murmured.

And that was it.

Simple. Ordinary.

Except… it wasn’t.

For a moment, something shifted—something unspoken. As she reached into her bag, their hands brushed. Just for a second. Just enough.

He pulled his hand back. She looked at him—curious, amused—and said nothing.

The class dragged on. At least for him. Her presence beside him made the air feel a little warmer. A little louder. A little more alive.

Toward the end of the period, Elena leaned over, her eyes catching something in his sketchbook. A pencil-drawn girl stared back up at her—soft eyes, wind-tossed hair, and stars tangled in her expression.

“You drew this?” she asked.

Ethan cleared his throat. “Yeah… just something I do.”

“She looks a little like me.”

He froze.

She smiled again—genuinely this time—and faced the front as the bell rang.

Students scattered, grabbing bags and noise as they rushed for lunch.

Ethan stayed seated, eyes on the door she’d just walked through.

Maybe this year wouldn’t be so quiet after all.

Did their fingers really brush? Or did the universe just blink?

(Tap ♥ if you believe in first glances...)

Do you think Ethan sketched her on purpose?

Would you like to see the sketch by Ethan...?