BRIANNA

37

The girl next to me, the one who asked me to sit next to her, checked my schedule and smiled, her eyes sparkling with genuine warmth. "It seems we're having the same class again. I'm Sarah. Nice to meet you." Her smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but return it, feeling a bit of my anxiety melt away under her friendly gaze.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Brianna," I responded, extending my hand in a polite gesture. But Sarah had other plans. She ignored my outstretched hand and pulled me into a hug instead, her embrace warm and comforting.

"Forgive me, I'm a hugger," she explained, her smile widening. "I have to say, you have beautiful skin. I'm jealous." Her compliment took me by surprise. Here was this girl, who seemed perfect in every way, complimenting me?

"Yours is more beautiful. I don't get why you would be jealous of mine," I replied, genuinely puzzled. Sarah's skin was flawless, her complexion radiant. She kept smiling at me, and there was something so sincere about her that it was hard to feel anything but grateful for her kindness. She took my hand and led me out of the classroom, her grip firm yet gentle.

We made our way to our next class, and I couldn't help but notice that everyone was looking at us. Some with annoyance, while others seemed merely surprised. It was clear that Sarah was popular, and her attention toward me was drawing more notice than I was comfortable with.

"Don't mind them. I'm used to it," she said, her smile never wavering. She walked with a confidence that suggested she was unbothered by the stares and whispers. I admired her ease and wondered if I could ever be that self-assured. Is this how my life is going to be in this school?

I guess if I'm going to be spending time with her, people will always look at me. The thought was both daunting and oddly thrilling. Sarah seemed unfazed by the attention, and her nonchalance was somewhat comforting. We quickly sat down once we arrived in the next classroom, and I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. The sensation was intense, like a tangible weight on my shoulders.

I didn't want to look around to see who it was because I wasn't sure how I would react if I saw who was looking at me. My mind raced with possibilities—was it someone judging me, or perhaps someone curious about the new girl? Ironically, even though it was an unfamiliar feeling, it didn't feel creepy and uncomfortable. It was like my body enjoyed the attention it was receiving. The notion was strange, almost unsettling, but not entirely unpleasant.

Sarah leaned in and whispered, "You okay?" Her concern was genuine, and it grounded me, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this new environment.

"Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed," I admitted, grateful for her understanding.

She nodded. "It gets easier, trust me. Just take it one step at a time." Her advice was simple but profound, and I clung to it like a lifeline.

The class began, and I tried to focus on the teacher's words, but my mind kept drifting back to the sensation of being watched. It was an odd mix of distraction and curiosity that kept my senses on high alert. As the lesson progressed, I found myself sneaking glances around the room, trying to identify the source of the scrutiny. My eyes landed on a boy sitting a few rows behind me. He was staring, not in a hostile way, but with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. When our eyes met, he didn't look away. Instead, he offered a small, almost imperceptible smile.

I quickly looked away, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and something else I couldn't quite define. Was it interest? Intrigue? Whatever it was, it added another layer of complexity to my already tumultuous first day. I made a mental note to ask Sarah about him later, curious to know more about this mysterious observer.

As the class continued, I did my best to stay focused, but the boy's gaze remained a constant presence in the back of my mind. The sensation of being watched, coupled with Sarah's unwavering support, created a strange dichotomy of comfort and unease. It was a feeling I couldn't quite shake, but maybe I didn't want to. Maybe this attention was a sign that my presence here was making an impact, that I was starting to carve out a space for myself in this new world.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and I gathered my things, ready to follow Sarah to our next destination. The boy was still watching, and I felt a strange pull to look back at him, but I resisted. There would be time to unravel that mystery later. For now, I had to navigate the rest of my first day, armed with Sarah's kindness and my own resolve. This new chapter was just beginning, and I was determined to make it my own.

I quickly looked away, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and something else I couldn't quite define. Was it interest? Intrigue? Whatever it was, it added another layer of complexity to my already tumultuous first day. I made a mental note to ask Sarah about him later, curious to know more about this mysterious observer.

As the class continued, I did my best to stay focused, but the boy's gaze remained a constant presence in the back of my mind. The sensation of being watched, coupled with Sarah's unwavering support, created a strange dichotomy of comfort and unease. It was a feeling I couldn't quite shake, but maybe I didn't want to. Maybe this attention was a sign that my presence here was making an impact, that I was starting to carve out a space for myself in this new world.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and I gathered my things, ready to follow Sarah to our next destination. The boy was still watching, and I felt a strange pull to look back at him, but I resisted. There would be time to unravel that mystery later. For now, I had to navigate the rest of my first day, armed with Sarah's kindness and my own resolve. This new chapter was just beginning, and I was determined to make it my own.