Chapter 1. đĨStarting đĨ
August 29
The summer in this city is extremely hot.
Even the wind feels tiredâĻ like it has given up trying to cool anything down.
But today, I don't mind the heat.
Because todayâĻ I finally got what I wanted.
After weeks of arguments, silence, and doors closing a little too loudly, my parents agreed.
I'm transferring schools.
I thought I would feel nervous.
Or scared.
Or at leastâĻ unsure.
But all I feel right now is relief.
Maybe a new place will be different.
Maybe people there won't look at me like I'm something broken.
MaybeâĻ I'll get a chance to live normally.
Even if it's just for a while.
---
I don't know why, but today feels important.
Like something is about to change.
Like I'm standing at the edge of something I can't see yet.
And for the first time in a long timeâĻ
I think I'm ready for it.
---
â Bela
---
The next morning felt quieter than usual.
Too quiet for a house that used to be filled with constant arguments.
Bela adjusted the strap of her bag as she stood near the door, her fingers tightening slightly around it. The silence wasn't peacefulâit was the kind that comes after everything has already been said.
Her mother's voice came from the kitchen, tired but firm.
"Don't skip lunch. And call me if you feel unwell."
"I won't," Bela replied softly.
A pause.
"Take care."
"âĻYou too."
That was it.
No hug.
No smile.
Just words that felt more like habits than emotions.
---
The school building stood taller than she expected.
New place.
New faces.
New beginning.
Or at leastâĻ that's what she told herself.
As she stepped inside, the noise hit her instantlyâstudents laughing, talking, running through corridors like they owned the world.
For a moment, she just stood there.
Watching.
Feeling like she didn't belong.
---
"New student?"
She turned at the sound of a teacher's voice.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Come with me."
---
The classroom grew quieter as she walked in.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her.
Some curious.
Some judgmental.
Some simply uninterested.
"Class, we have a new student," the teacher announced. "Introduce yourself."
Bela hesitated for a second.
Thenâ
"I'm Bela."
That's all.
No extra words.
No fake smile.
Just her name.
---
"Alright," the teacher nodded, scanning the room. "You can sitâĻ"
Her eyes paused.
Very briefly.
Almost like she was reconsidering.
Thenâ
"âĻthere."
The entire class turned.
Towards the last bench.
Towards him.
---
He didn't look up.
Didn't react.
Didn't even acknowledge her presence.
As if the world around him didn't exist.
---
Bela followed their gaze.
A boy sat there, leaning back slightly, his expression unreadable. Dark eyes, distant. Cold in a way that didn't need effort.
There was an empty seat beside him.
No one else sat there.
---
For a moment, she felt it.
That hesitation.
That silent warning in the room.
Don't go there.
---
But she walked anyway.
Step by step.
Until she reached the seat.
And sat down.
---
For a few secondsâĻ
Nothing happened.
---
Then, slowlyâ
He turned his head.
His eyes met hers.
Cold. Sharp. Distant.
Like he was trying to figure out why she was there.
Or maybeâĻ
Why she wasn't afraid.
---
Bela didn't look away.
Didn't smile.
Didn't speak.
---
And for the first timeâ
Someone sat beside VihaanâĻ
And didn't leave.