Partners
758 Words
Monday felt different.
For the first time since arriving at Riverside High, Lila didn’t stand outside the school gate wondering if she should turn around and go home. She still felt nervous, but she wasn’t afraid anymore.
As she walked through the hallway, she spotted Emma waiting by her locker.
“There you are!” Emma said. “I was starting to think you got lost.”
“I’ve only been here for a week.”
“You still get lost.”
Lila smiled. “That’s true.”
The first two classes went by quietly. Lila answered a question in English, and to her surprise, the teacher smiled.
“Excellent answer, Lila.”
A few students turned to look at her. Instead of lowering her head, she simply smiled and wrote down the next note.
Maybe things were getting better.
Just before third period, their History teacher, Mr. Daniels, walked into the classroom carrying a pile of papers.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, sir,” the class replied.
“I have an announcement. Your first project of the term will be done in pairs. You’ll research an important historical event and give a presentation in two weeks.”
The room immediately filled with excited voices.
“I already know who I’m working with!”
“Let’s be partners!”
Mr. Daniels raised his hand.
“Quiet, everyone. I’ve already chosen your partners.”
The room went silent.
He began reading the names one by one.
“Emma and Sophie.”
Emma looked disappointed.
“I wanted to work with you,” she whispered to Lila.
Lila smiled. “It’s okay.”
Mr. Daniels continued.
“Lila Bennett…”
Lila looked up.
“…and Noah Carter.”
Emma’s eyes widened.
Noah looked over his shoulder and smiled at Lila.
“Looks like we’re partners.”
Lila smiled back, though her heart started beating a little faster.
After class, Noah walked over to her desk.
“So… partner.”
“Partner.”
“When do you want to start?”
Lila thought for a moment.
“I usually study after school.”
“Same here.”
Emma suddenly appeared between them.
“I have an idea!” she announced.
“Oh no,” Noah laughed.
“What?”
“Every time you say that, something crazy happens.”
Emma ignored him.
“The library!”
“What about it?” Lila asked.
“You two can meet there after school and work on your project.”
Noah nodded.
“Sounds good to me.”
Lila hesitated for a second before agreeing.
“Okay.”
“Perfect!” Emma clapped her hands. “Now my work here is done.”
“You act like you’re our manager,” Noah teased.
“I basically am.”
The three of them laughed before heading to their next class.
⸻
School ended at three o’clock.
Lila arrived at the library five minutes early. She chose a table near the window and opened her notebook.
A few moments later, Noah walked in carrying two books.
“I hope I’m not late.”
“You’re right on time.”
“I brought these from home. I thought they might help.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.”
He smiled as he sat across from her.
For a while, they worked quietly, searching through books and writing notes.
Lila liked the silence.
It wasn’t awkward.
It was peaceful.
“So,” Noah said after a few minutes, “how are you settling in?”
She looked up from her notebook.
“Better than I expected.”
“I’m glad.”
“I was scared on my first day.”
“I could tell.”
“You could?”
“You barely looked at anyone.”
Lila laughed softly.
“I thought everyone was judging me.”
“Some people were.”
Her smile faded.
“But not me,” Noah quickly added. “I just thought you looked… lonely.”
She looked at him for a moment.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For talking to me.”
Noah shrugged.
“It would’ve been a shame if I didn’t.”
Lila smiled, feeling her cheeks grow warm again.
Outside the library window, the afternoon sun was beginning to set, filling the room with a soft golden light.
Neither of them noticed how much time had passed.
For the first time since losing her father, Lila felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Hope.
- Writer
