The air in Crestwood High had a certain tension, the kind you felt when everyone was pretending to mind their own business, but underneath, they were all watching. Watching, waiting for something to happen.
Hana stepped into the bustling hallway, her heart beating faster than usual. She could already feel the stares of unfamiliar faces on her, the whispers that came from people she didn't know. This wasn't new. It wasn't her first time being the new kid. But the weight of it was still there, pressing down like a thousand-pound weight on her chest. She pushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, adjusting the strap of her backpack before stepping into the sea of students.
Her past was miles away—both literally and figuratively. She'd left her small town behind, along with the memories of a broken family, a shattered heart, and a future that seemed doomed before it even started. Crestwood High was supposed to be a new beginning. A fresh start. But starting over wasn't as easy as everyone made it seem. No one ever told you how hard it was to leave everything behind and try to fit into a new life. As she walked past groups of laughing students, Hana found herself wishing she could disappear. Become invisible, like she had always been at her old school.
"Hey, you're the new girl, right?" A voice interrupted her thoughts, and Hana looked up to find a friendly-looking guy standing in front of her. His bright smile made him stand out in the sea of faces, and his kind eyes made her feel... not quite so alone.
"Uh... yeah," Hana said softly, glancing at his outstretched hand.
"I'm Jayden," he said, shaking her hand with a warmth that surprised her. "Welcome to Crestwood. It can be a little overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it."
Hana gave a small, tentative smile. "Thanks."
Jayden grinned. "I can show you around, if you'd like."
Before she could respond, a group of students approached, making Jayden turn to them. "Hey, guys, this is Hana—she just transferred today."
One of the girls, a blonde with a sharp gaze, nodded at Hana. "Hi, welcome to our little corner of the world. Don't worry, you'll find your way around," she said, her voice a little too dismissive. The others nodded and walked off, leaving Hana and Jayden standing in the hall.
"You'll get used to them," Jayden explained, as if reading Hana's mind. "They're all right, just a little... clique-y, you know?"
"Yeah, I get that," Hana said, feeling a little more at ease. Jayden seemed nice, and his easygoing nature made her feel less like a stranger.
"Want me to walk you to your next class?" he asked.
"Sure," Hana replied, relieved to have someone to talk to, even if it was just for a moment.
As they walked through the crowded hallways, Hana couldn't help but notice how *different* Crestwood was from the small town she had come from. Everything here was fast-paced, everyone seemed to know each other, and there were always groups of people laughing and hanging out. She felt like an outsider, someone who didn't quite belong, but Jayden was kind enough to chat about the school, the teachers, and a few other students.
Eventually, they reached her classroom, and she hesitated in front of the door. "Thanks, Jayden," she said softly. "I think I'll be okay from here."
"Anytime," Jayden smiled. "Just give me a shout if you need help with anything."
Hana nodded, stepping inside and taking a seat at the back of the classroom. She didn't need to turn around to feel the eyes on her again.
The day went by in a blur of introductions and lectures. Hana tried her best to blend into the background, but it seemed like wherever she went, she attracted attention. At lunch, she sat at a table alone, picking at her sandwich, trying to ignore the noise around her.
But then, just as she was about to finish her meal, a shadow fell over her. She looked up to find a guy standing there, his expression unreadable. He had dark hair, sharp features, and a quiet intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
"You're Hana, right?" His voice was deep, but there was something soft about it, like he was trying to make sure she was okay.
"Uh... yeah," she said, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"I'm Liam," he said, his lips curling slightly into a half-smile. "Mind if I sit with you?"
Hana blinked, unsure how to respond. Liam wasn't just anyone—he was one of the popular guys, the type that everyone knew. He wasn't someone she'd expect to approach her, especially not in the middle of the cafeteria.
"Sure," she said, gesturing to the empty seat across from her.
Liam sat down without hesitation, his gaze flicking briefly to the crowd around them before returning to her. "I saw you in class earlier," he said. "You're new here, right?"
"Yeah... just transferred today," Hana replied quietly, not meeting his gaze. "I'm still trying to get used to everything."
Liam studied her for a moment, and Hana could feel the weight of his stare. It wasn't uncomfortable, though—it was like he was actually seeing her, something most people never bothered to do.
"I get it," Liam said finally, breaking the silence. "It's hard to adjust. You don't have to worry about fitting in with them," he gestured vaguely toward the other students. "They'll come around. You just need to give it time."
Hana wasn't sure how to respond. She wasn't really looking to fit in, but it felt nice to hear someone say it wasn't necessary.
"Thanks," she said softly.
For a moment, the two of them sat in silence, just the quiet hum of the cafeteria surrounding them. Hana couldn't help but feel a strange connection with Liam—something about his presence, his calm demeanor, made her feel like she wasn't so alone in this strange new world.
But just as quickly as he had appeared, Liam stood up, pushing his chair back. "I have to go. But if you ever need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to ask." His voice softened, and there was a small, almost unreadable smile on his lips.
"Okay," Hana said, watching him walk away, feeling a little warmer than before.