The bell rang, its high-pitched trill slicing through the tense silence that still lingered in the room like smoke. Backpacks zipped, chairs screeched, and a tide of restless students surged toward the door, eager for a break from equations and intensity.
Zaria remained seated.
Her fingers tightened around her pen for a moment, then relaxed. She let out a slow breath, watching as the crowd thinned until only a few stragglers remained. Within seconds, the classroom emptied except for her.
The girl beside her hadn't moved either.
Zaria glanced to her left, cautious but curious. The girl was slight, with a long curtain of chestnut hair tucked behind her ears. She wore thin-rimmed glasses that slid down the bridge of her nose as she bent over her lunchbox, fingers fidgeting with the zipper like she was buying time.
Zaria's eyes narrowed slightly. This girl… had she been sitting next to her all semester?
She couldn't remember ever exchanging a word.
The silence stretched between them like a taut string, heavy and expectant. Zaria unzipped her own lunch bag and took out a small, worn container. Cold rice and stir-fried veggies. She wasn't particularly hungry, but eating gave her something to do—something that didn't involve wondering if someone else was about to launch another verbal attack.
Then came the voice. Soft. Hesitant.
"Hi…"
Zaria paused, chopsticks halfway to her mouth. Slowly, she turned her head.
The girl was facing her now, hands clasped tightly in her lap, eyes wide with a mixture of nerves and determination.
"My name is Lena Brooks," she said. Her voice trembled ever so slightly but held its ground.
Zaria blinked.
It wasn't the words that stunned her—it was the tone. No mockery. No snide edge. No sideways glances or secret smirks.
Just… sincere.
Her expression betrayed a flicker of surprise before she carefully composed it again, her face smoothing into neutrality.
She chewed, swallowed, then wiped her mouth with the corner of her napkin.
"You're talking to me," she said finally, voice cool but not unkind. "Why?"
Lena looked down, one finger tracing the seam of her jeans. "Because… I wanted to."
Zaria raised an eyebrow. "Wanted to… or dared to?"
Lena's gaze snapped back up, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Wanted to," she insisted, firmer this time. "You were amazing today. The way you solved that equation your thought process it was so clear. You didn't even pause."
Zaria's lips twitched. Not a smile. Just a flicker of something warmer than before.
"Thanks," she murmured, setting her chopsticks down.
Lena's shoulders relaxed slightly, sensing that Zaria wasn't brushing her off. Encouraged, she continued.
"I'm not very good with… people," Lena admitted, tugging her cardigan sleeves over her hands. "I get nervous. I don't usually talk unless I have to. But I'm trying to change that. And I thought…" She glanced at Zaria, eyes tentative. "Maybe we could talk. Maybe even… be friends?"
Zaria's eyes narrowed again, not suspicious, but assessing. "Why?"
"Because," Lena said, her voice growing steadier, "I like smart people. And you're not just smart you're brave. Most people would've melted under that kind of attention. But you didn't even flinch."
Zaria leaned back in her seat, arms crossing lightly over her chest. "So you're not here to insult me. Or make some kind of joke."
Lena shook her head quickly. "No! Gosh, no. I hate all that... drama. It gives me anxiety just watching it happen. I keep to myself most of the time, so maybe I'm not exactly friend material either, but " she hesitated, " I think maybe we're a little alike."
There was a beat of silence. Zaria tilted her head slightly, studying her.
Lena didn't look away.
Finally, Zaria gave a quiet hum of consideration. "You think we're alike because we sit at the edges and don't talk much?"
"Kind of," Lena said with a nervous smile. "But more because I think we both see things other people don't. You notice things. I can tell."
Zaria glanced down at her lunch, then back at Lena. Her fingers tapped once against the plastic container.
"Reading partners, huh?" she said.
Lena's face lit up. "Yes! I mean, if you're okay with that. I love math and chemistry, and I'm decent at literature, but I struggle with history. You look like you never miss a thing."
Zaria leaned forward just slightly, resting her elbows on her desk. Her voice dropped to a thoughtful tone.
"I don't usually… do friends."
Lena's smile faded a little, but she nodded. "I get that."
"But," Zaria added, her voice softer now, "I could use a reading partner."
Lena's eyes widened. "Really?"
Zaria shrugged, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes now. "You seem harmless enough."
Lena let out a small laugh startled, delighted, genuine. "I'll take that as a yes."
Zaria nodded once and picked up her chopsticks again. "Just don't expect me to join the chess club or anything."
"I'm not in the chess club," Lena grinned. "Too much pressure."
They both laughed quiet, shared laughter that lingered even after the noise from the hallway began to return.
For the first time in a long while, Zaria didn't feel like she was just part of the background.
The bell rang again, signaling the end of the break. Students began pouring back in, conversations and footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Lena looked hesitant again. "Mind if I sit here from now on?"
Zaria gave her a sideways glance, then pushed her lunch container aside.
"Sure," she said.
Lena smiled so wide it almost made Zaria feel something strange and new in her chest. Warmth.
As the next class began, and students filled the room with their usual buzz, something small but significant had shifted again.
Zaria wasn't alone anymore.