The science classroom still shimmered with echoes of the basketball tournament posters barely clinging to the walls, and snack wrappers still stuck between desk corners. Laughter lingered in the air as the class basked in the glow of their recent victory.
Jack launched a pencil like a javelin across the room. "Champions, baby!"
Grace rolled her eyes, snatching it mid-air. "Try not to break anything—especially not your brain."
Alina smiled, absorbing the joy of it all, the sense of belonging that had slowly started to grow roots inside her.
But the moment didn't last long.
Mr. Harrison walked in, tapping the board with a sharp knock. "I know the excitement is high, but reality calls. Mid-term exams begin in two weeks. And that means study sessions are extended, effective immediately."
The room groaned in unison. Jack slumped in his chair. "Guess the party's officially over."
As the sun was setting behind the buildings, at the Clark residence the house smelled like warm food and toasted spices. Plates clinked softly in the kitchen as Mrs. Clark stirred the soup. She looked up as Allen walked past.
"Allen," she said. "Can you check on Alina? I haven't seen her since she came home. Tell her dinner's ready."
Allen sighed but nodded. "Where is she?"
"Probably on the terrace again. You know how she likes the quiet."
He headed upstairs, shoulders slightly slouched, and pushed open the terrace door. Cold air met him immediately.
Alina stood at the edge, arms folded, looking out at the evening sky.
"Hey," Allen said. "Mom wants you downstairs. For dinner."
She didn't turn around.
"I'll be there in a bit."
He stepped out a little further.
"She told me not to come back without you. So, here I am."
Alina let out a small breath of a laugh — short, tired.
"Of course she did."
A brief silence settled. Allen leaned lightly against the railing, but didn't say anything.
"It's just been... a long day," Alina muttered. "That's all."
Allen looked at her carefully, then said in a neutral tone:
"You don't have to explain. But whatever it is—you're handling it."
She finally turned slightly to face him.
"Do you ever feel like... no matter how much you try, it's still not enough?"
He nodded once. "Yeah. Sometimes."
"My mom expects a lot," she said simply. "But I guess I do too."
Allen said nothing for a moment, then looked at her and said quietly:
"Trying already means something. Don't forget that."
Alina blinked at him, then gave a small nod.
"Thanks," she said. "I'll come down."
He turned and walked back inside. She followed a moment later.
Dinner was calm. Mrs. Clark asked about school. Allen answered in half-sentences. Alina smiled and ate quietly, but she felt... a little lighter.
After cleaning up, she excused herself and returned to her room. She changed into her nightshirt, slipped under the blanket, and turned off the lamp.
As she lay in the dark, she found herself thinking about Allen's voice on the terrace.
"Trying already means something."
It wasn't a big speech. It wasn't dramatic. But it stayed with her.
And for the first time in a while, she fell asleep quickly — and without worry.
The school bell rang through the crisp morning air, echoing down the hallways as sleepy students filed into their classrooms. Frost clung lightly to the windows, and the sky still carried the softness of dawn. Inside the building, warmth buzzed—not just from the heaters, but from the shared anxiety of what lay ahead.
Alina slipped into her seat beside Grace, rubbing her gloved hands together.
"Is it just me," Grace whispered, "or does winter make every subject feel ten times harder?"
"It's not just you," Alina replied, pulling out her notebook. "My brain's still under a blanket."
In the row ahead, Jack yawned loudly and poked Allen with his pen.
"Bet you already revised twice this morning," he said.
Allen didn't look up. "Three times."
"I was joking," Jack muttered. "Please tell me you were joking."
The day moved in slow stretches—Math drills, English analysis, Physics demos. Each teacher dropped reminders like snowflakes: "Exams start soon." "Cover the entire syllabus." "No shortcuts."
By the time the last bell rang, the students felt more drained than prepared.
But when the group gathered in the library that evening, everything changed.
Their usual corner table waited for them like an old friend. Grace dropped her backpack with a sigh of relief.
"Okay, Squad, let's do this. Math first?"
"Wait—snacks first," Max said, pulling out a box of crackers. "Let's survive in order."
Jack dramatically laid his notes across the table. "Behold, the chaos I call preparation."
Leo rolled his eyes. "You color-coded the chaos. It's impressive, in a scary way."
They weren't perfect students. But together, they made it work. Timed quizzes. Whispered hints. Encouraging nudges. No one tried to outshine the others—only lift each other.
And Alina, though quieter than the rest, felt herself starting to belong.
"This is weird," she said, looking up from her textbook.
"What?" Grace asked.
"Studying... feels less lonely now."
Grace smiled. "That's why we're the Synergy Squad."
Three days later, exam day dawned with a heavy sky and a sharper bite in the air.
Mrs. Clark placed a lunchbox into Alina's hands at the doorway.
"Good luck, sweetheart. You've worked hard."
Ryan , peeking over the railing, added, "Don't fail!"
"Thanks, coach," Alina laughed, stepping out into the cold.
At school, tension blanketed the classroom like the morning fog. Desks were spaced wider than usual. The windows were slightly open for "ventilation," but it felt more like punishment.
Mr. Harrison entered with a stack of exam papers.
"Mid-term assessments," he said calmly, placing them down. "Do your best. Don't forget to write your roll number."
Jack leaned over to whisper to Max.
"What if I just write 'help' in Morse code on the top?"
Max shrugged. "You do you."
"Phones away," Mr. Harrison warned without looking. "If I see them, they're mine until the end of time."
Allen sat straight, pencil already sharpened. Across the aisle, Alina stole a glance at him. He caught her eye, gave a calm nod. She returned it with a small breath and turned back to her paper.
The exam began.
Pens scratched. Pages flipped. The ticking clock became a pulse in the room.
Grace whispered once, accidentally dropping her eraser.
Leo slid it back with his foot without a word.
Jack muttered to himself halfway through. "This question wasn't in my dreams. I feel betrayed."
Alina's hands trembled at the start, but as she read through the paper, her breathing slowed. She had studied. She had prepared. She could do this.
Time passed like a slow snowfall.
And finally, the bell rang.
Mr. Harrison stood. "Pens down. Pass your sheets forward."
Chairs creaked. A collective exhale filled the room.
"We did it," Grace whispered.
"Barely," Max muttered, stretching.
"So... we live?" Jack asked.
Alina leaned back in her seat, her shoulders finally dropping.
"Yeah," she whispered. "We live."
As the final bell rang, the school corridors erupted with excitement. Laughter echoed through the halls as students spilled outside, arms raised in celebration.
"Winter break starts now!" Jack cheered, pushing the doors open dramatically.
Grace threw her arms around Alina. "We made it! I seriously thought I'd collapse during that history paper."
Alina laughed. "Same. My brain stopped working halfway."
Grace pulled back with a wide grin. "So, when's your train?"
"Tonight. Seven sharp. Mom's been waiting."
"Text me the moment you reach," Grace said, poking her shoulder. "And remember—after the break, you're mine. Dorm roommates for life."
Alina smiled at that. "How could I forget?"
Behind them, Max and Leo were arguing over whose paper was worse, while Jack tried—and failed—to start a snowball fight with a paper cup. Allen stood a little apart, quiet as usual, but his gaze occasionally found Alina's.
As everyone said their goodbyes and drifted in different directions, the group lingered a little longer. Their laughter mixed with the crisp winter breeze, warm despite the chill.
At the Clark residence, Alina was gathering her things. She zipped up her bag and looked around the guest room one last time.
Mrs. Clark knocked softly and entered with a small tin in her hands. "A little something for your mother. And some extra for you—your favorites."
"Thank you," Alina said sincerely.
"Have a safe trip, sweetheart." She paused at the door, her voice softer. "The house will be quiet without you."
Alina nodded, unsure why her throat felt tight. Maybe it was the sudden silence in her room. Maybe it was the way Allen hadn't said goodbye yet.
As she stepped outside, she noticed him by the gate. He didn't say anything at first. Just looked at her bag, then at her.
"Have a good trip," he said finally.
"You too. Try not to be too grumpy over break."
He gave a faint smirk. "No promises."
And with that, she was off.
Back in her hometown, the streets felt smaller than she remembered, but not unfamiliar. Alina stepped off the train into the cold evening, pulling her coat tighter. Her mother was waiting outside the station, dressed in office formals and holding her phone in one hand.
"Long ride?" she asked, taking the suitcase handle.
"A bit," Alina replied, managing a smile. "But it's nice to be home."
Her mother gave a brief nod. "I've got some deadlines over the weekend, but we'll talk over dinner, okay?"
That night, the house felt quieter than the one she had left behind. Her room hadn't changed much—same floral bedsheets, same bookshelf stacked with old trophies and forgotten storybooks. She sat by the window, staring at the town's empty streets, wondering if she'd romanticized this place too much.
Dinners were polite but brief. Her mother worked late into the evenings, leaving Alina to her own thoughts. She didn't complain—it wasn't anyone's fault. Still, the silence felt heavier now, knowing what the other kind of noise felt like.
And yet, even in the quiet, warmth found its way in.
The cold in her hometown was softer, quieter — like it knew how to wrap around people without biting too hard. Alina stood by the kitchen window, watching little sparks flicker in the distance. Someone in the neighborhood had already started lighting fireworks, even though midnight was still an hour away.
Inside, her mom was humming an old tune while heating soup, her voice full of warmth Alina hadn't heard in a long time. It was their first New Year's alone — just the two of them — and though it wasn't loud or grand, something about it felt… peaceful.
Still, the silence felt louder than usual.
Grace [10:48 PM]: Ramen in one hand, party hat on. Let's goooo.
Jack [10:52 PM]: Someone stop her. She's singing "We Are the Champions" again.
Leo [11:01 PM]: Call at midnight. All of us. No excuses.
Max [11:02 PM]: Even Allen. I'll drag him if I have to.
Allen [11:03 PM]: Already on standby.
They were all in their hometowns too — scattered in corners of the country, with grandparents, family dinners, fuzzy sweaters, and home-cooked chaos.
At exactly 12:00, the call connected.
Grace wore glitter glasses. Jack played a trumpet app with exaggerated flair. Leo and Max popped up in ridiculous matching filters — pixelated mustaches and neon glasses. Allen had his usual blank expression but wore a crooked paper crown, clearly Nathan's doing.
Alina laughed — soft, but real.
"Happy New Year!" Grace shouted.
"To surviving mid-terms and insane teachers!" Max added.
"And to the best team ever," Alina said gently.
They talked for an hour — about their parents, weird family traditions, and the fireworks going off outside their windows. There was teasing, jokes, a few screen freezes, and a lot of smiling. Allen didn't speak much, but he stayed through it all.
Then Jack leaned closer to the screen.
"Guys," he said with sudden energy, "we should totally plan a beach picnic! We can visit the zoo, the museum, the aquarium—oh, and those pretty gardens too!"
"Only if we all score well in midterms!" Grace cut in, raising a dramatic finger.
"Deal," Leo grinned.
"I'm in," Max added.
Alina smiled, heart warm.
Allen simply nodded, but the corner of his mouth twitched — a near-smile.
Somewhere between that promise and the fading fireworks, Alina realized something:
She wasn't alone.
Not really. Not with them.
The return to school after winter break came with the usual chaos: new schedules, freshly printed notices, and loud chatter about how the holidays went. Students buzzed in the hallways, sharing pictures, teasing each other, and already complaining about upcoming assignments.
Alina stepped out of the cab in front of the girls' dormitory with her backpack slung over one shoulder and a small suitcase trailing behind her.
Before she could take a step forward, the dormitory door burst open.
"Alina!!" Grace practically screamed, running toward her in fuzzy socks and a half-tied bun.
Alina barely had time to react before Grace threw her arms around her.
"You're finally here!" Grace beamed. "Welcome to your new home, roomie!"
Alina laughed, warmth filling her chest. "It's good to be back."
Their room was small but cozy, with two beds on opposite walls and soft fairy lights strung across the top bunk. Grace had already decorated half the space with posters, a bulletin board covered in doodles, and even a tiny cactus.
On Alina's side, Grace had placed a small framed photo from one of their group study sessions, tucked next to a notebook and a welcome note:
"Let's make this semester legendary. – G"
"You did all this?" Alina asked, touched.
"Of course," Grace said proudly. "Also, I got us matching slippers."
"We're gonna be that kind of roommates, huh?"
The first day after winter break carried a strange buzz — half excitement, half dread. The classroom was louder than usual, packed with students catching up after the holidays. Some waved at each other from across rows. Others huddled in groups, trading snacks, showing off new phone covers, or groaning about how much homework they didn't do over the break.
But beneath the noise, nervous energy hung in the air like static. Everyone knew what was coming.
Zoe Williams and Hannah Parker sat near the window, whispering about their class rankings, flipping through their notes as if it might change something.
Ben Carter tossed a balled-up paper at Liam Anderson, who ducked and laughed before being scolded by Chloe Adams with a sharp, "Grow up, both of you." Even she had her math notes half-hidden under her novel.
Jack stood near his desk, pacing in slow, exaggerated circles.
"Guys, what if Harrison just walks in with flames and throws our results like ninja stars?" he whispered to Max.
"Then I hope mine lands grade-side down," Max deadpanned.
Amidst the classroom energy, the Synergy Squad trickled in one by one.
Allen walked in quietly, his bag slung over one shoulder, expression unreadable — but his eyes flickered toward the door the moment Alina entered.
For a moment, he froze.
Alina noticed. Their eyes met.
He quickly looked away, heading straight for his desk. His fingers tapped once on his closed notebook — a small, involuntary tell.
Alina raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering. Is he... nervous?
Jack flopped into his seat beside him. "Do you think Harrison will wait at least one day before ruining our mood with results?"
"Nope," said Grace, scanning the front board. "That's his brand."
"I brought chocolate, just in case we need emergency sugar therapy," Max added.
Allen quietly sat down, flipping open his notebook, pretending to revise—but he hadn't turned a page in three minutes. He seemed distracted.
Alina followed a moment later, greeted by Grace with a quick side hug.
Before she could ask anything, the door opened.
Mr. Harrison stepped in, expression neutral, a brown folder tucked under his arm. Just the sight of it made half the class groan.
"Here we go," Zoe whispered dramatically.
Mr. Harrison spoke clearly, "Good morning, everyone. I hope you all had a restful break—because today, reality returns."
The class laughed nervously.
"As you can see, I have your mid-term exam results. I'll be distributing them today."
Murmurs rippled through the room. Some students sat up straighter, others slouched. Bags were closed. Jokes faded. Everyone's posture shifted just slightly.
Even Allen, the calmest among them, closed his notebook.
Alina glanced at him.
This time, he didn't meet her eyes.
"Zoe Williams."
Zoe walked up confidently and returned with her paper, lips pressed in a thin line.
"Ninety-four," she whispered to Hannah. "Lost marks in diagrams."
"Liam Anderson."
Liam got his result and whistled low.
"Oof. Guess my 'study through osmosis' method failed."
"Grace Thompson."
She returned to her seat with a relieved smile.
"Not bad. My mom won't cry. I call that a win."
"Leo Bennett."
Leo glanced at his sheet and gave his signature quiet nod.
"Ben Carter."
Ben raised both hands. "I believe in miracles!"
The class laughed.
"Max Carter."
Max shrugged, looked over his paper, then fist-bumped Jack.
"Better than last time."
"Alina Brooks."
Alina took a deep breath, collected her report, and slowly opened it.
The marks were solid. A subject or two below her personal expectations, but overall… she had done well.
"You did great," Grace whispered beside her.
"I did," Alina admitted quietly, with a small smile.
"Jack Harrison."
Jack froze. The room collectively turned to watch the teacher's son rise from his desk like a condemned man.
Mr. Harrison handed the report without a word.
Jack took it like it might explode. After one glance, he sat back down and whispered,
"Okay, I passed. Barely. But there's... a lot of red ink."
"Are you alive?" Max asked.
"Not sure yet," Jack replied, scanning his paper again.
Chloe Adams and Hannah exchanged impressed looks at their own grades. Zoe flipped her hair and asked loudly, "Anyone get a hundred in math?"
"Nobody cares, Zoe," Ben said. "Let the rest of us enjoy surviving."
"Allen Clark."
Allen collected his report silently and returned to his seat, unfazed. Jack peeked over his shoulder.
"Perfect as always?"
"Not quite," Allen replied. "But close."
Once all the papers were handed out and the class buzzed with mixed reactions, Grace stood up and tapped her desk.
"Okay, this calls for a celebration. Our picnic — it's happening!"
"Saturday," Jack said. "We bring food. We bring fun. No books allowed."
"We'll make a checklist," Max offered. "I'll even bring plates this time."
"I'll bring the music," Leo added.
"And I'll bring the volleyball," Allen said, surprising them.
"I'll bake cookies," Grace beamed. "And Alina?"
Alina smiled, her eyes warm.
"Sandwiches and juice. I've got it."
The rest of the class listened in with curiosity. Some even asked if they were invited, but Jack waved them off.
"This is a Synergy Squad tradition in the making."
The class laughed. Even Mr. Harrison allowed a small smile as he picked up his folder and left.
For a moment, the whole classroom buzzed not with rivalry or stress — but with shared relief, joy, and plans for a sunny Saturday escape.
As the classroom slowly emptied, Alina glanced around at the familiar faces—some celebrating, some quietly disappointed, but all moving forward. The weight of expectations hadn't vanished, but it felt lighter with the right people beside her. She looked at Grace, then at Allen, who gave her the smallest, reassuring nod. Maybe they weren't just surviving school anymore. Maybe, in this little corner of chaos and chalk dust, they were building something better—friendship, belonging, and a memory worth holding on to.
To be Continued....