Love at first sight

Y The morning sun had barely risen when Daniel stepped through the school gate. It was a Monday morning, and the school compound was already crowded with students. Some were rushing toward their classrooms, while others stood in groups, laughing and talking about the weekend. Daniel walked quietly through the crowd with his schoolbag over one shoulder. He was sixteen years old and known by his classmates as a calm and hardworking student. He wasn't the kind of person who believed in love stories. Whenever his friends talked about falling in love at first sight, Daniel always laughed. “You can't love someone you don't even know,” he would tell them. To him, love was something that took time. You had to know someone's character, their dreams, their fears, and their weaknesses before you could truly care about them. But that morning, something happened that would make him question everything he believed. As Daniel walked toward his classroom, he noticed a girl standing beside the school garden. She was holding two books against her chest and looking around uncertainly. Daniel slowed down. The girl had just arrived at the school. He had never seen her before. For a few seconds, their eyes met. The girl smiled. Daniel suddenly forgot where he was going. His heart seemed to beat faster, and he quickly looked away. “What just happened?” he whispered. “Daniel!” He turned around and saw his best friend, Michael, walking toward him. “Why did you stop?” Michael asked. “I didn't stop.” Michael looked toward the girl and then back at Daniel. “Oh,” he said with a grin. “Now I understand.” “Understand what?” “You saw her.” Daniel frowned. “Saw who?” Michael laughed. “The new girl.” Daniel tried to hide his embarrassment. “I was only looking because she seemed lost.” “Of course,” Michael replied jokingly. Before Daniel could answer, the school bell rang. Students began rushing into their classrooms. Daniel took one last glance toward the girl before walking away. He didn't know her name. He didn't know where she came from. He didn't know anything about her. Yet somehow, he knew that morning was going to be different. Later that day, their teacher entered the classroom with the new student. “Everyone, we have a new student joining us today,” the teacher announced. Daniel looked up. It was the girl from the garden. “This is Sarah,” the teacher continued. “She has recently moved to town with her family. Please make her feel welcome.” Sarah smiled nervously at the class. Daniel smiled too. Their eyes met again. This time, neither of them looked away immediately. And somewhere in Daniel's heart, a new feeling began. He didn't know what it was yet. But it was the beginning of a story that would change both their lives.