CHAPTER 1:
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The bell rang through the corridors of St. Edsel High, signaling the start of the second semester. Sunlight filtered lazily through the windows of Class 11-B, illuminating dust particles that danced in the air like snow. A calm breeze drifted in from the open windows, carrying with it the scent of fresh notebooks and newly waxed floors.
Keiran Lavigne sat quietly in the second row by the window, fingers tapping idly against his desk. His jet-black hair fell slightly over his eyes, and a pair of wired earphones dangled from his hoodie, playing a mellow tune that only he could hear. He wasn't one for conversation. The space beside him had been empty for most of the year—until today.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
Keiran looked up, half-expecting the voice to belong to some overly energetic new kid. Instead, he was met with soft brown eyes, gentle but curious, framed by messy, golden-blonde hair. The boy standing beside him wore the same uniform, slightly disheveled but neat enough to pass. He had a leather sketchbook tucked under one arm.
"No," Keiran replied shortly, removing one earphone.
"Cool." The boy smiled, sliding into the seat with ease. "I'm Alric Reyes. I just transferred here from Northbridge High."
Keiran nodded, unsure if he was expected to introduce himself. Alric didn't seem to mind. He pulled out a pencil and started doodling absently on the corner of his notebook.
Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. There was something oddly calming about Alric's presence, like he belonged in quiet spaces. Keiran found his eyes drifting to the side—curious about what the boy was drawing—but quickly looked away when Alric caught him.
"Do you like art?" Alric asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Keiran blinked. "I guess. I like music more."
"Music and art go hand in hand," Alric said, smiling again. "They both speak when words can't."
Keiran stared at him for a moment, unsure how to respond. No one had ever said something like that to him before. Especially not a boy with warm eyes and a voice like rain on a quiet night.
It was only the first day, but something told Keiran that this semester would be nothing like the last.
Something was changing.
And it began with a simple "hello."
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