Fragments Of Yesterday

4

The days in school were moving faster than Andrew expected. The once unfamiliar hallways had started to feel normal, the chatter of students in classrooms less overwhelming, and even the heavy air of being the “new student” was beginning to lift. Part of that was because of Grace.

It had been only a few weeks since she had first been introduced in class, sitting near him, quietly asking for notes, and since then their interactions had grown. Not explosively, but like a seed slowly pushing its way out of the soil—small, deliberate, but alive.

Now, a new excitement buzzed in the atmosphere. Posters decorated the walls of the school, colorful and chaotic, announcing in bold letters:

“ANNUAL SCHOOL FESTIVAL – THIS MONTH!”

Andrew could hardly go anywhere without hearing people talk about it. It was the one event everyone seemed to anticipate all year, filled with competitions, stalls, cultural performances, and sports. It wasn’t just about fun; it was about pride. Classes competed to make their booths and performances stand out, and students showcased their talents.

That afternoon, during lunch, Andrew found himself sitting with Grace under the old banyan tree in the corner of the school courtyard. She was sketching something in her notebook, her eyes focused with a concentration that made Andrew pause before asking.

“You draw?” he asked, craning his neck to peek.

Grace quickly closed the notebook, hugging it to her chest. “Just… a little. It’s nothing much.”

Andrew smiled. “If you hide it, it means it’s actually good. People only hide the things they care about.”

She tilted her head slightly, studying him, before shaking her head. “You really say things in a way that makes it sound deeper than it is.”

“I don’t mean to,” Andrew shrugged. “But hey, with the festival coming up, maybe you should show your drawings. I’m sure there’ll be an art exhibition or something.”

Grace hesitated, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I don’t know. I don’t like being in the spotlight.”

“Then let your art take the spotlight instead,” Andrew replied softly.

Their eyes met for a second, and Grace quickly looked away, focusing on her half-eaten lunch. Andrew decided not to press further, but in that silence, he felt something shift between them—like an invisible thread tugging them closer.

The week unfolded with preparations. Announcements echoed through the hallways, and teachers pushed students to join activities. The schoolyard filled with laughter, debates, and the clatter of sports equipment.

Andrew ended up signing for the basketball team, mostly because his childhood friend Sophia insisted. She had been part of the school’s basketball team since last year and had a reputation for being competitive.

“You’re tall and fast enough,” she said bluntly, dragging him to practice after school. “Don’t waste that by being lazy.”

Andrew groaned. “Sophia, I barely know half the rules—”

“You’ll learn,” she cut in. “Besides, Grace signed up to help manage the basketball stall during the festival. Don’t you want her cheering for you?”

Andrew froze. “Wait, she did?”

Sophia smirked knowingly, spinning the ball on her finger. “Ohhh, you didn’t know? Guess I let that slip.”

He rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the faint smile that tugged at his lips.

Grace, on the other hand, found herself joining in unexpected ways. She wasn’t much of an athlete, but she ended up volunteering for the badminton doubles practice after one of the sports teachers noticed her steady hands and sharp reflexes in P.E. She looked unsure when she picked up the racket for the first time, but Andrew—passing by the gym that day—cheered from the sidelines.

“You’re doing better than I ever could,” he called out.

Grace laughed nervously, almost missing the shuttle. “Don’t distract me!”

But after a few rallies, she began smiling more, her awkward movements smoothing into something natural. For Andrew, watching her gradually open up to activities outside her comfort zone was like watching a bird testing its wings.

In between practices, they discovered small shared hobbies. One afternoon in the library, Andrew spotted Grace sketching again, this time not hiding her notebook. The pages revealed carefully drawn scenes: the basketball court under the glow of sunset, a crowded hallway with blurred faces, even a faint sketch of Sophia mid-dribble.

“You really are good,” Andrew whispered.

Grace pressed her lips together but didn’t deny it this time. “Drawing helps me… make sense of things. When everything feels messy, sketching makes it clearer.”

Andrew nodded. “For me, it’s writing. Not big stuff, just random thoughts in a journal. I guess it’s kind of the same.”

Grace’s eyes softened. “So… we’re both people who turn to paper when the world feels heavy?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, that’s one way to put it.”

Their shared laughter echoed quietly in the library, unnoticed by others but significant for them.

Sophia, of course, was always around—fiery, outspoken, and teasing. Sometimes, Andrew wondered if she sensed the delicate rhythm forming between him and Grace because she never missed a chance to poke fun.

During one practice session, Sophia tossed the basketball to Andrew and called out, “Careful, lover boy, Grace is watching!”

Andrew nearly tripped over his own feet, face turning red. Grace, sitting on the sidelines keeping track of scores, covered her mouth to hide her giggles.

“Don’t listen to her,” Andrew muttered later as he walked Grace home. “She just likes making me look stupid.”

Grace’s voice was light. “I don’t think you looked stupid. Just… a little red.”

Andrew groaned, but her smile made it worth it.

As the festival approached, the energy in school reached its peak. Classrooms turned into stalls, corridors smelled of paint and glue, and sports teams practiced harder. Grace found herself sketching ideas for the class booth decorations, while Andrew split his time between basketball drills and helping with small festival tasks.

One evening, after practice, he and Grace sat on the bleachers, watching the sky bleed into shades of purple and orange. The court was empty, except for Sophia still shooting hoops in the distance.

Grace broke the silence. “You seem different these days… happier.”

Andrew blinked. “Do I?”

She nodded. “When I first met you, you looked like you were carrying something heavy. Like your thoughts were always somewhere else. But now… you smile more.”

Her words struck him deeply, because she wasn’t wrong. For so long, the memory of being misjudged at his old school had weighed him down. But here, with Grace, things felt lighter.

“Maybe it’s because of new friends,” he admitted. “Because of you.”

Grace looked at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. But before either could say more, Sophia’s voice rang out from across the court.

“Hey, lovebirds! Stop whispering and help me pack up!”

Both of them jumped, embarrassed. But as they walked together toward Sophia, their hands brushed accidentally, and neither of them pulled away immediately.

The night before the festival, the school was almost magical. Lights were being strung across the courtyard, stalls half-finished, and the air buzzed with nervous excitement. Andrew stayed late with Sophia and Grace, helping paint signs and move boxes.

At one point, Grace smudged paint across her cheek by accident, and Andrew laughed, handing her a tissue. She looked at him with mock annoyance, but her laughter soon joined his.

It was moments like these—simple, small, fleeting—that made Andrew forget the heaviness of the past.

Finally, the day of the festival arrived.

The school was unrecognizable, filled with music, colors, and noise. Parents and visitors roamed around, stalls bustled with games and food, and the gymnasium echoed with cheers from sports matches.

Andrew played in the basketball match, the crowd roaring as Sophia scored point after point. Grace cheered quietly from the sidelines, clapping every time Andrew managed a decent pass or shot. When the team won, Sophia ran up to Andrew and high-fived him, but he noticed Grace’s small, proud smile meant more than the victory.

Later, Grace participated in the badminton doubles match. She was nervous, but Andrew sat in the front row, cheering so loudly that she couldn’t help but laugh between serves. Though her team didn’t win, she left the court glowing from the experience.

Together, they wandered through the festival—tasting snacks, visiting stalls, laughing at the fortune-telling booth where Sophia insisted Andrew’s “love line” was too obvious. For the first time in a long while, Andrew felt like he belonged.

But just as the day began to wind down, with the setting sun casting a golden glow across the festival grounds, a new presence appeared.

As Andrew and Grace were walking back from a stall, someone stepped into their path.

It was a tall boy, sharp-featured, with an easy confidence in his smile. His uniform was neatly worn, and his voice carried the kind of charm that drew attention.

“Grace, right?” he said smoothly, ignoring Andrew completely. “I’ve seen you around lately. You’re… different from the others. Beautiful, actually. I was wondering…” He leaned slightly closer, lowering his tone. “…if you’d like to go out with me sometime.”

Grace froze, eyes wide, caught completely off guard. Andrew felt his chest tighten, his jaw clench. The boy’s gaze lingered on Grace, bold and unflinching, as if Andrew didn’t even exist beside her.

The festival noise around them faded into the background, replaced by the sharp tension of that moment. Grace opened her mouth, but no words came out.