ROSES ARE NOT RED X Mizz JABS

THE BOY BEHIND THE WINDOW

The first thing Kai noticed about rosewood academy was that everyone seemed to know where they belonged.

The school was larger than any place he had stated before. the tall building stood proudly beneath The morning sky, covered with ivy that climbed along The walls like it had been there for generations. Student failed the courtyard, laughing in groups, sharing stories, and walking together as if they had been part of the same world forever.

Kia stood at the entrance with his school bag over one shoulder, watching them. He wondered what it felt like.

To have someone call your name because they were happy you arrived.

To feel like you were not just another person passing through.

He looked down at the small paper in his hand Rosewood Academy - Student - Orientation.

A simple piece of paper

A new school

A new beginning.

At least, that was what everyone always said.

But Kai had Learned that new beginning did not always mean an easy one.

Sometimes it just meant finding a new place to feel alone.

The classroom was louder than he expected Student talked about summer holidays, upcoming exams, and the festival that would happen later in the year.

Kai walked quietly to the seat near the window it was not that he disliked peopLe.

Just never knew how to become part of their conversations. He had always been the person standings slightly outside the circle. The person who listened the more than he spoke. The person who noticed everything but really got noticed.

The window seat felt perfect. From there he could see the school garden it was the only place in the academy that looked Peaceful.

Among all the noise of the students and classes, the flowers seemed untouched by everything happening around them.

Kai liked that.

Flowers did not try to impress anyone.

They simply grew.

"Are you planning to spend the whole year looking outside?"

Kai turned around.

A boy stood beside his desk, holding several books against his chest.

He had dark hair that looked slightly messy. His uniform was neat, but his tie was slightly loose. His eyes carried a strange combination of curiosity and kindness.

Kai stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

The boy pointed toward the window.

"You've been looking at the garden since you arrived".

Kai glanced outside.

"I was just thinking".

The boy smiled.

"That usually means someone is thinking about something important".

Kai did not answer.

Most people would have accepted his silence

This boy did not

" I'm Eli", the boy said.

"Kai"

"New student?"

Kai nodded.

Eli looked around the classroom before looking back at him

"I guessed".

"How ?"

Eli shrugged.

"Because you're sitting alone"

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"That's your reason?"

"No"

Eli smilled

"It because everyone else is trying to look like they belong. You look like you're wondering if you do.

For a moment, Kai forgot how to respond.

Because Eli was right. And somehow, that was both comforting and frightening

The teacher entered before they could continue their conversations. Everyone returned to their seats.

Kai expected Eli to move away. Instead, Eli sat at the desk beside him.

Kai looked over

" you sit here?"

" Yes "

" Why?"

Eli looked confused.

"Because this is my seat"

" oh"

A smile appeared on Eli's face.

" You thought I followed you?"

"No"

"You did"

Kai looked away.

Maybe he did.

The first class passed slowly. Kai tried to focus, but because it was his first day, there were many things he missed. When the teacher explained the assignment schedule, Eli quietly pushed his notebook toward him

"You miss this part"

Kai looked at the notes.

"You wrote it down for me ?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

Eli looked at him

"Because you needed it"

The answer was simple.

Too simple.

Kai was used to people expecting something in return.

A favor.

A reward.

A reason.

But Eli helped like it was the most natural thing in the world.

At lunch, Kai walked toward the garden he needed somewhere quiet. The school cafeteria was so crowded filled with voices and movements.

The garden was different. There was space to breathe. He sat beneath a tree and opened his lunch. For a few minutes everything was peaceful. Then a voice interrupted him.

" You really like being alone".

Kai looked up.

Eli stood there.

Again.

" Do you always appear like this?"

"Like what?"

"Suddenly"

Eli smilled

"Maybe"

Kai moved slightly making space beside him. He did it not knowing why he did it.

But Eli sat down. For a while, they ate in silence. It was uncomfortable. That surprised Kai. Usually silence between people felt like a problem. With Eli it felt natural

" You like flowers?"

Kai looked toward the garden

"Yes"

"Why?"

Kai thought about it

"Because they're honest"

Eli tilted his head.

"How are flowers honest?"

"They don't pretend"

Kai touched one of the fallen petals beside him.

"A rose doesn't try to become something else because people expect it to".

Eli was quite.

Then he smiled.

"That sounds like something you wish people understand".

Kai looked at him

"What?"

"You"

Kai looked away.

Eli noticed too much.

Over the next weeks, something change.

Not suddenly.

Not dramatically.

Just little things.

Eli started saving him seat in class. They walked to the bus stop. They talked about books, music, and random things that did not matter but somehow became important.Kai found himself checking his phone more often. He found himself smiling when Eli sent a message.

One afternoon, the teacher announced the spring festival project.

" You will work in pairs" , the teacher said." create something that represents the theme of growth".

Students immediately started choosing partners. Kai looked down. He expected to wait. He expected someone else to choose. Then:

"Kai"

He looked up.

Eli stood beside his desk.

"Partner?"

Kai blinked.

"You're sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be?

Kai did not answer.

Because nobody had ever chosen him so easily before.