The birds chirped loudly outside as Margaret's alarm blared. With a sigh, she gazed out the window-every day felt the same. Heading downstairs, she passed her father in his study. He didn't acknowledge her, as usual. She'd grown accustomed to it; he'd been that way ever since her mother died when she was a child.

She grabbed her bag and stepped out of the house, walking along the sidewalk. A stray cat caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Glancing at her watch, she realized she still had time, so she paused momentarily to kneel and pet it.

After a while, she stood up, brushed herself off, and continued toward school. When she arrived, she paused, watching the familiar faces of people she'd known her whole life, all chatting and laughing with each other-none with her. She shrugged it off and headed to class, a little later than usual but still earlier than everyone else.

As she entered the building and opened the classroom door, Margaret was taken aback to find someone already there. It was unusual-she couldn't imagine anyone she knew willingly arriving so early. The teacher looked up and smiled. "Ah, Margaret! Just the student I wanted to see," he said, rising from his desk. "Let me introduce you to our new student, Alexander Astor." He nudged the boy forward. Alexander extended his hand toward her, but Margaret merely stared, responding flatly, "Okay."

Margaret's reaction left an awkward silence hanging in the air. Alexander's hand lingered in the space between them for a moment before he withdrew it with a faint, uncertain smile. The teacher cleared his throat, trying to smooth over the tension.

"I thought I should introduce you both, as you'll be having some friendly competition from now on," the teacher said, catching Margaret's attention. "What?" she asked, puzzled. The teacher smiled slightly. "I believe I've finally found someone who can keep up with you," he replied.

Margaret chuckled. "That's funny, but no one's been able to keep up with me since-" she paused, thinking, "well, ever, actually."

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Alexander glanced over as the door opened, watching a red-haired girl walk in. "Ah, Margaret! Just the student I wanted to see," the teacher said, standing up from his chair. "Let me introduce you to our new student, Alexander Astor." With a gentle nudge, the teacher pushed him forward. Alexander extended his hand, but Margaret merely looked at him and replied flatly, "Okay."

The silence hung awkwardly, his hand lingering in the space between them before he withdrew it with a faint, uncertain smile. The teacher cleared his throat, attempting to ease the tension. Though the teacher began speaking again, Alexander barely registered the words. His attention was fixed entirely on the girl standing in front of him.

Throughout the class, Alexander found himself glancing over at the girl, but she never once looked his way, completely absorbed in her work.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The class seemed to drag on endlessly. When it finally ended, Alexander tried to catch up to Margaret, but someone stopped him before he could reach her.

Alexander turned to find a tall, confident-looking student blocking his path. "Hey, I'm Brian," the student said, extending a hand. "I couldn't help but notice you're new here. Need any help figuring things out?"

Alexander hesitated for a moment, then shook Brian's hand. "Uh, sure. That would be great," he replied.

Brian nodded. "Cool. Let's talk while we head to the cafeteria. I can give you a quick tour and fill you in on the important stuff."

As they walked away from the classroom, Alexander glanced back at Margaret, who was already heading down the hall with her head down, lost in her own thoughts.

original fic time short chapter bc im stil figuring things out