By the second morning at Greater Lights Academy, the excitement of resumption had softened into routine. The corridors were still lively, but no longer chaotic. Students walked with purpose now, already memorizing the shortcuts between the laboratory wing, the administrative block, and the long row of classrooms that housed the 12th Grade.
Annie adjusted the strap of her school bag on her shoulder as she and Sandra made their way toward the bookshop during the break period. A soft breeze moved across the courtyard, lifting the edges of their skirts slightly as they walked past groups of students laughing, revising notes, or sharing snacks.
“I still feel like everyone is staring at us,” Annie murmured.
Sandra chuckled. “They’re not staring at us. They’re staring at you.”
Annie rolled her eyes. “Please. Stop exaggerating.”
“I’m not. You just don’t notice these things.”
They reached the bookshop—a quiet corner of the school that smelled of fresh paper, ink, and polished wood. Tall shelves lined the walls, filled with neatly arranged textbooks, notebooks, and stationery. It was calm inside, almost peaceful, a sharp contrast to the noise outside.
The bookshop attendant looked up. “Good morning. What class?”
“12th Grade,” Sandra replied politely.
He nodded and began scanning a list behind the counter.
Annie turned slightly, letting her fingers brush along the edges of the books on the shelf while she waited.
And then she saw him.
Daniel.
He stood a few steps away, facing one of the shelves, flipping through a textbook with calm concentration. His posture was relaxed, yet firm. His earphones were in, and the faint glow from his tablet screen reflected slightly on his face as he leaned it against the shelf beside him.
Sandra followed Annie’s gaze and nearly gasped. “Oh.”
Annie swallowed. This time, she was seeing more than a side profile. His expression was serious, thoughtful, and distant, like someone who lived more in his thoughts than in the world around him.
Sandra whispered, “He looks even better up close.”
“Shhh,” Annie whispered back, though her heart had already started beating faster.
The attendant’s voice broke the moment. “Your books are ready.”
Sandra moved forward to collect them. Annie turned too quickly—and collided into something solid.
She stumbled back slightly.
Daniel.
Her breath caught.
“I’m so sorry,” she said quickly.
Daniel removed one earphone and looked down at her. His gaze was calm, unreadable.
“Watch where you’re going next time,” he said, his tone cool, indifferent.
But his voice—low, smooth, and steady—caught her off guard. She hadn’t expected it to sound like that.
“Sorry,” she repeated, quieter this time.
For a brief second, his eyes held hers. Then he stepped past her without another word.
Annie stood frozen.
Sandra returned with the books. “Let’s go.”
But Annie was still watching Daniel as he walked toward the counter to pay.
She didn’t understand why such a short exchange felt like something far bigger than it should have been.
Outside the bookshop, Faith, Favour, and Famous were watching.
They had seen everything.
Faith’s lips tightened. “Did you see that?”
Favour crossed her arms. “She ran into him on purpose.”
Famous shook her head slowly. “No. That wasn’t an accident. That was strategy.”
They didn’t say anything more, but the irritation in their eyes was growing.
Back in the classroom, Eric noticed Daniel return unusually quiet.
“You look like you just saw a ghost,” Eric teased.
Daniel ignored him and opened his book.
Eric leaned closer. “Bookshop?”
Daniel didn’t respond.
Eric smiled knowingly. “Ah. I see.”
Daniel finally spoke, not looking up. “Focus on your notes.”
Eric laughed under his breath.
Annie, meanwhile, was trying very hard not to think about what had just happened.
But it kept replaying in her mind.
His eyes.
His voice.
The way he had looked at her—not with interest, not with annoyance, but something she couldn’t name.
Sandra nudged her gently. “You’re thinking about it again.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
Annie sighed. “Why does he seem so… distant?”
Sandra shrugged. “Some people carry storms quietly.”
Later that afternoon, during a free period, students gathered in small groups around the classroom. Conversations filled the air.
Faith, Favour, and Famous sat together, whispering.
“She thinks she can just come in here and take his attention,” Faith muttered.
“She doesn’t even know him,” Favour added.
Famous leaned forward. “Then maybe we should make sure she never gets the chance to.”
They shared a look. Silent understanding passed between them.
Something had begun.
Daniel stared out the window as the sun dipped slightly lower in the sky. His thoughts were unusually distracted.
He didn’t like distractions.
He prided himself on control.
Yet somehow, the image of Annie standing in the bookshop, startled, apologetic, stayed in his mind.
He didn’t know why.
He didn’t want to know why.
Eric watched him carefully but said nothing this time.
When the final bell rang, Annie and Sandra walked home together.
“You know what’s funny?” Sandra said.
“What?”
“You bumped into him, but somehow you’re the one who looks like you were hit.”
Annie laughed softly. “I don’t even understand what’s happening.”
Sandra smiled. “Maybe you don’t have to understand it yet.”
They walked past the school gates, unaware that across the street, Faith, Favour, and Famous were still watching them.
And planning.
That evening, Daniel sat in his room at home, his tablet playing an episode of an anime series. The characters on the screen were in the middle of an emotional scene, but Daniel wasn’t paying attention.
His mind drifted.
To a bookshop.
To an apology.
To a pair of eyes that had looked at him without fear, without admiration—just surprise.
He shook his head slightly and focused back on the screen.
He did not notice that, for the first time in a long while, he had not heard a single line from the episode.
Far away, in her own room, Annie lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
She had opened her book to read.
But she had not turned a single page.
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