???'s POV
The small crowd at Hayley's Cyberspace had finally quieted down, the echoes of applause still fading when I sat down across from Kaylee. We hadn't had a real conversation in what felt like forever. No instruments. No tension from band drama.
Just us.
"I liked your new and revised version of the song," she said.
I blinked. "Thanks. It's… not new, but I changed the lyrics a little."
"They hit different," Kaylee admitted, glancing to the side. "Weird, huh?"
We sat in silence for a beat before I spoke. "So… what've you been up to? Since, you know—everything?"
She leaned back against the worn leather booth. "Not much. Some concerts. A few auditions. But honestly? Nothing's felt real for a long time."
I nodded, understanding more than I let on. "Yeah. I get that."
She looked at me and softened. "You always were the grounded one. While I was out chasing the spotlight, you stayed true to the music."
I gave a wry smile. "I tried."
A comfortable silence settled between us, and then Kaylee's voice got a little softer. "By the way… that girl. The one who sat with me earlier."
I turned to her, curious. "Yeah? What about her?"
"She kind of… helped me get my head on straight."
That made me blink. "Really?"
She nodded. "She didn't say much, but it was just enough. Something about how memories don't fade just because people drift. That the time we had with the band meant something."
I leaned forward. "Wait. What did she look like?"
"Beautiful," Kaylee said without hesitation. "Like… serene. She was wearing simple clothes, her posture all perfect. Her voice was so polite it felt like I was in a period drama."
I knew instantly. "The new student?" i murmured.
Kaylee's brow furrowed. "Maybe? I don't know. All I know is that she's one of the reasons why we got to talk."
I sat back, slightly stunned. 'Amaris Shin,' I thought. I'd seen her around school a few times already. Heard the whispers, the teasing from some classmates about her being "too formal" or "weird." But she never seemed bothered by it. Always quiet, always walking like the world around her wasn't moving fast enough to catch her.
I made a mental note. 'Tomorrow, I'm thanking her.'
=====================================
I waited at the school entrance earlier than usual. My backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, boots scuffed from yesterday's stage set. I scanned the courtyard—no sign of her yet.
Then I saw her.
Amaris Shin moved like a character from a dream. Every step she took was measured, quiet. Her skirt was pressed, her shirt perfectly tucked in, and her violet ribbon neatly tied. Most students trudged through the morning fog of sleepiness, but she seemed untouched by it.
She didn't rush. She didn't scream like everyone else. She just walked, eyes focused, as though time bowed to her pace.
'Beautiful,' I thought. 'And composed.' Not my usual crowd.
But something about her made me want to know more.
I stepped forward and smiled. "Hey."
She paused, eyes flicking toward me in surprise. Her head tilted ever so slightly, almost like she was asking silently, "Is something wrong?"
That little head tilt was strangely adorable.
I extended my hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Kira Ford."
She looked down at my hand, then back at my face, before gently accepting it. "Amaris Shin. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Ford."
Her voice was soft but clear. Too formal for a seventeen-year-old, but it didn't feel fake. It was just… how she was.
I didn't let go immediately. Her hand was smaller than mine and warm. Then I noticed her cheeks were tinted pink.
"Uh… Miss Ford," she said gently, "you may release my hand now."
I yanked my hand back like it was on fire. "Oh! Sorry."
She smiled politely. "It is quite alright."
I cleared my throat and rubbed the back of my neck. "I, uh… I wanted to thank you. For being with my friend Kaylee yesterday."
Her expression shifted—shy, almost hesitant. "There is nothing to be thankful for. I merely spoke because I felt bad and said something… perhaps unnecessary"
I shook my head. "You have no idea how much it helped. Whatever you said made her realize how important our friendship was. We talked, like really talked, for the first time in forever."
Her lips curled into a small smile. "I am glad, then."
That smile. That soft, quiet smile hit me like a truck.
I watched her walk ahead. Her steps were light, but her posture didn't waver. Graceful was the only word that came to mind. When she was a few paces ahead, she glanced over her shoulder again.
'Was she… waiting for me?'
I quickened my pace to catch up. "What class do you have first?"
"Mathematics," she answered.
"No way. Me too!"
She gave a small "Oh?" and then added, "Shall we walk together?"
I tried to act casual. "Sure—if you want."
"Then let us go," she said with a faint smile.
=====================================
Amaris sat beside me. Normally, math is one of those classes I tune out of after five minutes, but she made it surprisingly bearable. She scribbled little notes next to mine. Explanations, shortcuts, even diagrams—so elegant and simple it made me wonder if she was some kind of math fairy.
And she never interrupted the teacher. She just… helped. Quietly.
After class, I nudged her gently. "What's your next class?"
She glanced at her schedule. "Physical Education."
My eyes widened. "Wait—me too!"
She actually laughed a little at that. "Twice in a row… how peculiar. It would seem fate is fond of placing us together."
Then she smiled.
It wasn't the same polite one from earlier. This one was brighter, honest and completely disarming.
My brain short-circuited. I saw her lips move, but I couldn't hear anything.
"Miss Ford?" she asked, concern flickering in her tone. "Are you feeling well?"
I blinked and shook my head. "Sorry, what were you saying?"
"I was asking about your third class. I thought, perhaps, we may share that one as well."
"Oh! Right. I've got English."
She made a soft, "Oh," and said, "I have French, unfortunately."
She looked down at her watch. "Ah, we are going to be late. Shall we?"
"Lead the way."
=====================================
We parted ways at the cafeteria.
"See you later," I said.
She gave me a gentle nod. "Until then, Miss Ford."
I stood there, just watching her leave.
'She's incredible,' I thought. 'Patient. Kind. And something about her just… settles the noise.'
As I turned around and walked back toward the hallway—
"Oh no. Training with Dr. O!"
I broke into a run.