Who is she?
1117 Words
Adrian was still staring through the guidance office window.
Then suddenly, the girl noticed him.
Her eyes met his.
For a brief moment, she looked surprised—but instead of reacting awkwardly, she gave him a small, gentle smile. Her lips moved silently as if saying, “I’m sorry.”
Then she quietly turned around and walked deeper into the guidance office, continuing whatever she had been doing inside.
Adrian remained there, frozen.
“Aaaah—finally!” Caleb’s voice suddenly echoed down the hallway as he came jogging back.
When he reached the group and noticed Adrian missing, the others followed his direction and walked toward him.
Julian crossed his arms and tilted his head.
“Aid… did you just see a ghost or something?”
Adrian didn’t answer at first. He was still staring at the window like he had forgotten the world around him.
“Adrian?” Theo called.
Adrian blinked, snapping out of it.
“Oh—sorry,” he said quickly. “Did you guys see her?”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “See who?”
“That girl,” Adrian said, pointing slightly toward the window. “The one with the red hair.”
Curious, the four of them leaned closer and tried to peek inside the guidance office.
But all they could see was the back of the girl, her red hair catching the sunlight as she stood near a desk.
Julian squinted. “Who is she? Is she new?”
Then he looked back at Adrian with a teasing grin.
“Hey Aid… is she pretty?”
Marcus chuckled immediately.
“Oh wow,” he said. “I think Adrian’s having a crush.”
He nudged Adrian’s shoulder.
“Just confirming—you’re not gay, right?”
Theo adjusted his glasses slightly while still looking through the window.
“I think she might be a transferee,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ve never seen a red-haired assistant in the guidance office before.”
The four boys continued whispering and guessing.
Meanwhile, Caleb groaned loudly behind them.
“Oh come on!” he complained, throwing his hands up. “Can you all leave that poor girl alone?”
They turned toward him.
“You idiots promised you’d play with me today!” Caleb continued. “I need all four of you! It’s the last season and we already paid our bet!”
He pointed toward the exit dramatically.
“So can we go now?!”
—
“Alright,” Julian said as they finally stepped away from the guidance office window. He stretched his arms and started walking down the hallway. “Remember, boys—bros before hoes, right?”
Caleb snorted immediately.
“Oh really? You’re the one saying that?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You literally ditched me and Marcus last month because of Carmie.”
Julian quickly waved his hands at him.
“Shhh! Don’t say that in front of Theo,” he whispered urgently. “He’s gonna kill me.”
Theo glanced at them calmly.
“I told you already,” he said. “I don’t care if you date her.”
Marcus smirked, clearly enjoying the moment.
“But she was your elementary school crush, right?” he teased.
Theo sighed.
“Adrian made that rumor up. It’s not her.”
Julian laughed while slinging an arm over Theo’s shoulder as they continued walking.
Behind them, Caleb and Marcus were still teasing, Adrian quietly following while the group’s usual noise and laughter echoed through the hallway.
Slowly, the five boys disappeared around the corner—still joking, still carefree.
None of them noticed that the girl inside the guidance office was the same one who would soon step into their lives.
—
Inside the Guidance Office
The room was quiet.
The principal sat behind her desk while the red-haired girl stood politely in front of her.
“Marin Elle,” the principal said gently, folding her hands together. “I know studying here will be a big change for you. I hope you’ll be able to adapt.”
Marin nodded quietly.
“But for now,” the principal continued, her tone becoming softer, “I think it would be better if you avoid making friends for a while. It’s not good yet… you still need time to heal.”
Marin lowered her eyes.
“Yes, ma’am,” she answered softly.
The principal reached for a folder on her desk.
“For now, the first thing I can help you with is this.”
Marin nodded again. “I understand.”
The principal looked at her kindly.
“I know you’re very smart, Marin. So I think it would be good if I appoint you to help in the library. Would that be alright?”
For a moment, Marin didn’t answer.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears, and her hands nervously folded the edge of her clothes.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” she whispered. “I’m really sorry that I will become a burden to you.”
The principal immediately shook her head.
“Marin,” she said gently, “I need you to be strong, okay?”
She gave the girl a reassuring smile.
“For now… this is the safest place for you.”
Marin quietly nodded.
Outside the office, the hallway had already returned to silence.
—
Later that afternoon, the five of them were at the court finishing the bet game Caleb had been talking about all day.
The match ended with their team losing.
Caleb dropped his hands in frustration.
“Damn it, Adrian!” he groaned. “What’s wrong with you today? That was our last chance to win! Why didn’t you do your best?”
Julian shrugged and stretched his arms.
“It’s fine,” he said casually. “He’ll just be the one buying us burgers, right Aid?”
But Adrian didn’t answer immediately.
He was staring somewhere else, clearly distracted.
After a moment he blinked and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Sorry… but I don’t actually have money today,” he admitted. Then he looked at Marcus. “Marcus, can you lend me some?”
Marcus scoffed.
“You still owe me a hundred bucks, man.”
Adrian rolled his eyes.
“Come on. I know you have way more than that, you cheapskate.”
Nearby, Theo muttered quietly to himself while grabbing his bag.
“Why am I stuck with these idiots…”
Then he sighed.
“I’m getting out of here. I’m going home.”
Caleb quickly followed him.
“Hey Theo, wait. I’m coming with you.”
The two of them walked off, leaving only three behind.
Adrian.
Julian.
Marcus.
- Writer
