CHAPTER 4: THE NEW STUDENT

The next morning at Riverdale High School felt unusually calm.

The sky outside was clear and bright, and the warm sunlight streamed through the classroom windows. Students slowly filled the room, chatting with their friends while waiting for the first class to begin.

Callie arrived earlier than usual.

She had developed a habit of arriving early so she could review her notes before class. Sitting quietly at her desk, she flipped through her notebook while the classroom slowly grew louder.

A few minutes later, Adrian walked in.

His hair looked slightly messy, like he had rushed out of the house without checking the mirror.

“Morning, Callie,” he said, dropping his bag onto his desk.

Callie looked up and smiled.

“Good morning.”

Adrian sat down and stretched his arms.

“You’re early again.”

“I like reviewing my notes before class,” Callie explained.

Adrian shook his head in disbelief.

“You’re way too responsible for someone our age.”

Callie laughed softly.

“Someone has to be.”

Before Adrian could respond, the classroom door opened again.

Their teacher walked in, followed by someone Callie had never seen before.

The room instantly grew quiet.

The boy standing beside the teacher looked calm and confident. He had neat dark hair and sharp eyes that seemed to observe everything carefully.

“Class,” the teacher said, “we have a new student joining us today.”

The students began whispering to each other.

“A transfer student?”

“He looks cool.”

“What school did he come from?”

The teacher turned to the boy.

“Please introduce yourself.”

The boy stepped forward.

“My name is Lucas Herrera,” he said politely. “Nice to meet you.”

His voice was calm but confident.

Callie noticed that many students were staring at him.

Even Adrian seemed slightly curious.

“Lucas transferred here from another city,” the teacher continued. “I hope everyone helps him feel welcome.”

She looked around the room.

Then her eyes landed on the empty seat beside Callie.

“Lucas, you can sit there.”

Lucas nodded and walked toward the desk.

Callie suddenly felt a little nervous.

When Lucas reached the seat, he smiled politely.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hi,” Callie replied shyly.

Adrian watched the interaction quietly.

Lucas placed his bag down and sat beside Callie.

For the first few minutes of class, everything seemed normal.

The teacher began the lesson while students opened their books.

Callie focused on writing notes as usual.

But after a while, Lucas leaned slightly closer.

“Sorry to bother you,” he whispered, “but what page are we on?”

Callie glanced at his book and pointed.

“Page thirty-two.”

“Thank you,” Lucas said with a small smile.

Adrian noticed the interaction.

He didn’t say anything, but something about it made him feel… slightly uncomfortable.

He wasn’t sure why.

Maybe it was just because Callie was usually the one sitting beside him.

At lunchtime, Callie stood up to leave the classroom.

Lucas followed behind her.

“Are you going to the cafeteria?” he asked.

“Yes,” Callie replied.

Adrian suddenly appeared beside them.

“Come on, Callie,” he said casually. “Let’s go before the cafeteria gets crowded.”

Lucas noticed the way Adrian spoke to her so naturally.

“You two seem close,” Lucas said.

Adrian smiled slightly.

“We’re friends.”

Callie nodded.

“Seatmates,” she added.

Lucas chuckled softly.

“I see.”

The three of them walked to the cafeteria together.

The room was noisy, filled with conversations and laughter.

Adrian led them to the small table near the window—the same one where he and Callie had eaten before.

Lucas sat across from them.

As they ate, Lucas asked Callie questions about the school.

“Do you like studying here?” he asked.

“It’s nice,” Callie answered.

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

“Riverdale isn’t perfect, but it’s not bad.”

Lucas nodded thoughtfully.

“I transferred a lot growing up,” he said. “So I’m used to new schools.”

Callie felt a little sympathy.

“That must be difficult.”

Lucas smiled slightly.

“You get used to it.”

As they continued talking, Adrian noticed something.

Lucas seemed very interested in talking to Callie.

Every time she spoke, Lucas listened carefully.

Adrian suddenly felt something strange in his chest.

It wasn’t anger.

But it also wasn’t comfortable.

Later that afternoon, when school ended, Callie began packing her bag.

Adrian stood up.

“Ready to go?”

Callie nodded.

But before they could leave, Lucas spoke.

“Callie.”

She turned around.

“Yes?”

Lucas smiled.

“Could you help me tomorrow with the class notes? I’m still catching up.”

Callie hesitated for a moment.

“Sure.”

Adrian watched quietly.

Lucas thanked her and left the classroom.

For a few seconds, Adrian didn’t say anything.

Callie noticed.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Adrian shrugged.

“Nothing.”

But deep down, he couldn’t ignore the strange feeling growing inside him.

For the first time since meeting Callie, he felt like someone else might be getting closer to her.

And he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

Meanwhile, Lucas walked down the hallway with a small thoughtful smile.

“Callie Santos…” he murmured to himself.

He had only met her today.

But something about her had already caught his attention.

And he wasn’t planning to ignore it.

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