CHAPTER 5: A NEW ROUTINE

The next morning, the sky above Riverdale High was covered with soft gray clouds. The air felt cool, and a gentle breeze moved through the school courtyard as students began arriving one by one.

Callie walked through the school gate with her usual calm steps. She had her notebook pressed against her chest and her bag hanging neatly on her shoulder.

Even though she had only been attending Riverdale High for a short time, the school was slowly starting to feel familiar.

But something new had also been added to her daily routine.

Adrian.

Callie found herself wondering if he was already in the classroom.

She walked down the hallway and gently pushed open the classroom door.

Just like she had hoped, Adrian was already there.

He was leaning back in his chair, lazily scrolling through his phone.

When he noticed Callie, he immediately smiled.

“Morning, Callie.”

“Good morning,” she replied, placing her bag on her desk.

Adrian glanced at her notebook.

“You’re early again.”

Callie shrugged slightly.

“I like being early.”

Adrian shook his head.

“You’re the only person I know who enjoys coming to school.”

Callie laughed softly.

“I don’t enjoy it. I just don’t mind it.”

Adrian stretched his arms.

“Well, at least someone here likes studying.”

Before Callie could respond, the classroom door opened again.

Lucas walked in.

He looked around the room briefly before his eyes landed on Callie.

“Good morning,” he said politely.

“Good morning,” Callie replied.

Lucas took his seat beside her.

Adrian watched quietly.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

Lucas placed his bag down and opened his notebook.

“I’m still catching up on the lessons,” he said to Callie. “Do you mind if I look at your notes again later?”

Callie nodded kindly.

“Of course.”

Adrian crossed his arms.

“You’re lucky,” he said to Lucas. “Callie has the best notes in class.”

Lucas smiled slightly.

“I can tell.”

Callie felt a little embarrassed.

“You two are exaggerating.”

But both boys knew it was true.

When class started, Callie once again focused on writing notes carefully. Lucas occasionally leaned over to check something, and Callie quietly explained parts of the lesson to him.

Adrian noticed.

He tried to focus on the lesson, but his eyes sometimes drifted toward them.

He didn’t understand why he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

After all, Lucas was just a new student asking for help.

That was normal.

Right?

When the lunch bell rang, students immediately began leaving their seats.

Adrian stood up quickly.

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

Callie packed her bag.

Lucas stood up as well.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

Adrian hesitated for a second.

Then he shrugged.

“Sure.”

The three of them walked toward the cafeteria together.

The room was noisy as usual.

Adrian led them to the small table near the window again.

Callie sat down while Lucas sat across from her.

Adrian sat beside Callie.

As they ate, Lucas spoke calmly.

“So, Callie… Adrian said you want to become a nurse.”

Callie nodded.

“Yes.”

“That’s a very kind dream,” Lucas said.

Callie smiled slightly.

“I just want to help people.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

“She’s very serious about it too.”

Lucas looked impressed.

“That’s rare.”

Callie looked at Adrian.

“You talk about me like I’m not here.”

Adrian laughed.

“Well, you’re too humble to say it yourself.”

Lucas smiled quietly.

He was beginning to notice something.

Callie and Adrian had a very natural connection.

They joked easily.

They understood each other quickly.

But Lucas didn’t seem bothered by it.

Instead, he looked thoughtful.

After lunch, the three of them walked back to class together.

As they walked down the hallway, Lucas suddenly asked Callie something.

“Do you usually study after school?”

Callie nodded.

“Sometimes.”

Lucas smiled slightly.

“Maybe you could help me review the lessons later.”

Before Callie could answer, Adrian spoke.

“We usually study in the library.”

Lucas looked at him.

“Then maybe I’ll join you.”

Adrian forced a small smile.

“Sure.”

Callie noticed the slight tension but didn’t think much about it.

To her, everything still felt simple.

Just three classmates getting along.

But Adrian felt something different.

As he watched Lucas walk beside Callie, he felt that strange feeling again.

It was small, but noticeable.

Later that afternoon, when classes ended, Adrian grabbed his bag.

“Library?” he asked Callie.

Callie nodded.

Lucas stood up too.

“I’ll come with you.”

The three of them walked toward the library together.

Inside, the quiet room was filled with the soft sound of turning pages.

Callie sat down at a table and opened her notebook.

Lucas sat across from her while Adrian sat beside her.

Callie began explaining the lesson.

Lucas listened carefully.

Adrian watched them both.

After a while, Lucas looked up.

“You explain things very clearly, Callie.”

Callie smiled.

“Thank you.”

Adrian suddenly spoke.

“She’s always been like that.”

Callie looked at him.

“You talk like you’ve known me forever.”

Adrian grinned.

“Feels like it.”

Lucas quietly observed the two of them.

Then he smiled slightly.

Something told him that Callie and Adrian’s friendship was deeper than it looked.

But Lucas wasn’t the type to step back easily.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly.

“Callie,” he said.

“Yes?”

“I’m really glad I transferred to this school.”

Callie looked surprised.

“Why?”

Lucas smiled calmly.

“Because I met you.”

For a moment, the table became silent.

Adrian’s smile slowly faded.

And somewhere deep inside him, that strange feeling returned—stronger than before.

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