Chapter one : "The First Page"

****

The sunlight spilled across the windows like melted gold, and for a moment, the world outside felt like it belonged on my canvas more than anywhere else.

I hunched over my easel, brushing soft strokes of green across the paper, trying to capture the old tree swaying just beyond the classroom window. Each leaf seemed to dance under the sunlight, teasing me as if it knew I could never quite get it right. I loved this quiet corner of the room, where the hum of chalk on the board faded into the gentle rhythm of the world outside.

"Eve, you're doing great," Mrs. Caldwell said, leaning over my shoulder. Her silver hair caught the light, and for a second, I thought she might be part of the sunlight itself. "But this tree... it's missing something. It's... flat, somehow. Try giving it a little life, a little depth."

I nodded, biting my lip. I always tried so hard to see the world as it was, but translating it into colors felt like chasing shadows.

"Excuse me," a voice piped up beside me. I turned to see one of the girls from class holding her palette like it was a foreign object. "Could you... help me mix this color? I can't get the shade of the leaves right."

I blinked, startled. Usually, I stayed buried in my own work, but something about her timid smile made me set my brush down. "Sure," I said softly, stepping closer. Her eyes widened, like she didn't expect me to say yes.

As I guided her hand, blending green with just the tiniest hint of yellow, I felt the warm brush of sunlight across my shoulder, the window framing the tree outside, and a strange flutter in my chest. Maybe art wasn't just about getting it right-it was about sharing it.

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of class. Most students scrambled to pack their bags, but I stayed behind, finishing the last strokes on the other girl's painting. She had insisted I help, and I wanted it to look perfect. Blending colors, I tried to get the leaves to match the sunlight outside, careful not to smudge the delicate strokes.

"Eve!" a familiar voice called, breaking my concentration. I looked up to see Daizy bouncing toward me, her backpack slung over one shoulder. "Hurry up! I don't want to waste time here. I'm going to the cosmetic shop-the new lip tint just launched, and I need it today!"

I raised an eyebrow, amused and slightly exasperated. "Do you always have to be in such a hurry?" I asked, glancing at her impatient grin.

The other girls in the class murmured, some rolling their eyes, "Why is she always so rude?" I couldn't help but smile quietly at their commentary.

Daizy ignored them and leaned closer, lowering her voice as if it were a secret mission. "Eve, come on, help me finish here quickly. You know I can't control myself around new makeup launches. It's a crime against fashion."

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "You act like the world is ending if you don't get that lip tint."

"Exactly!" she exclaimed, waving her hand dramatically. "Life is too short for boring colors, Eve. And honestly, you're taking forever. That girl's painting will survive a few more minutes, won't it?"

I gave the girl a reassuring smile and picked up my brush again. "Alright, alright," I said, focusing on finishing her painting. Daizy clapped her hands happily and leaned against the desk, glancing at the window. "Hurry up, slowpoke. We have lip tints to conquer."

Even as she jabbed fun at me, I couldn't help but feel a warm comfort in her energy. Somehow, Daizy made everything feel lighter, even when she was rushing me.

Daizy and I walked down the classroom hallway, her skipping ahead a little while I lingered behind, trying to tidy my brushes and palette in my bag. The hall smelled faintly of chalk and cleaning solution, a smell I'd secretly started to like-it reminded me of school days, art, and quiet moments like this.

"Eve, don't dawdle," Daizy said, rolling her eyes but grinning. "We have important lip tints to buy, remember?"

I giggled softly, but my attention was caught by someone leaning against the lockers ahead. Harry. My heart did a tiny flip-the way the sunlight hit his hair made him look like he stepped right out of one of my sketches. Only Daizy knew about this crush; I didn't dare let anyone else find out.

"Hey, Eve," Harry called, his warm smile making me feel both nervous and giddy. "Are you ready for next month's art event?"

I felt my cheeks heat up instantly, and I struggled to hide my flustered expression. I forced a small smile and nodded. "Y-Yeah... sure," I said, trying to sound casual, though my hands felt clammy in my bag.

Daizy immediately jumped in, nudging me playfully. "See? She's always excited about painting and other stuff. You know how she gets," she said, grinning at Harry as if to highlight my obvious crush.

Harry laughed softly, giving me a knowing look. "Okay, then. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, and with a wave, he strode down the hallway, leaving a fluttering warmth behind him.

Daizy immediately turned to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh my gosh, Eve! You totally blushed! Admit it-you like him!"

I groaned, burying my face slightly in my hands, but I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. "Shut up, Daizy. It's not like that," I mumbled, though the truth felt like it had been painted across my face anyway.

Daizy laughed, linking her arm with mine as we walked on. "Sure, sure, that's exactly what I thought."

As we walked out toward the school gates, Daizy and I passed by the wide-open ground. The late afternoon sun made the basketball court glow like it was the center of the universe. A group of boys were playing casually, but the noise around them sounded anything but casual-shouts, whistles, and a whole crowd of girls cheering from the sidelines.

Daizy stopped in her tracks, tilting her head. "Seriously? Why are they screaming like they're at a concert?"

I followed her gaze. One boy stood out in the middle of the court-tall, confident, his movements sharp and powerful. Even from a distance, I could tell he was good. Too good. Every shot he made went in clean, and every time he scored, the girls erupted like fireworks.

Daizy folded her arms with a huff. "Ohhh, right. I heard about him. That new guy. National-level basketball champion or something. Jason... Jason Frank, I think. No wonder they're losing their voices." She rolled her eyes dramatically, tugging at my arm. "But honestly, who cares? Just another cocky athlete, probably."

I shrugged, pretending not to pay attention, though my eyes lingered on the court for a second longer than I meant them to. His presence felt larger than life, like he was used to being the center of attention. Definitely not my type.

Daizy, of course, had no interest in basketball stars. She leaned closer, smirking. "Anyway, let's get back to your prince charming. Eve, the way you looked at Harry-don't even try to deny it. Your eyes practically turned into heart emojis."

I groaned, tugging her forward. "Daizy, stop! You're impossible."

She only laughed louder, looping her arm through mine. "Impossible, maybe. But not wrong."

The ball thudded against the court, echoing across the school ground as Jason Frank leapt effortlessly into the air. The sunlight caught the edges of his hair, and the shot went in clean, as if gravity itself bent to him. A chorus of cheers erupted instantly.

On the sidelines, a group of girls were pressed against the railing, whispering excitedly.

"Wow... did you see that? He doesn't miss a single shot."

"I heard he's already been scouted for college teams."

One of them clasped her hands under her chin dramatically. "I swear, if Jason even looks at me once, I'm done. He's definitely boyfriend material."

Jason barely acknowledged the noise. He spun the ball in his hands, eyes scanning the court, sharp and unbothered. His cool gray eyes gave nothing away, like he was used to people watching him and had long stopped caring.

"Yo, Jason!" Hope, one of the guys from his team, jogged up, panting. "Man, you're making the rest of us look like amateurs."

Jason smirked, brushing the sweat off his brow. "Not my fault you can't keep up."

Jammy, another teammate, laughed, tossing Jason a bottle of water. "Don't let it get to your head. This is just practice, bro. Save the big show for the actual match."

Jason uncapped the bottle and took a long sip, still calm, still composed. Around him, the chatter didn't die down-girls giggling, boys muttering about his skill, teachers passing by with approving nods. He was the kind of person the world seemed to revolve around, whether he wanted it to or not.

And yet, behind his effortless confidence, his expression carried something unreadable-like he was already bored with the noise, searching for something else entirely.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***