chapter 6
638 Words
Chapter 6
New Faces, New Trouble
Monday morning at school began with the usual noise of students rushing through the corridors.
Anna walked through the gates beside Lucio, her books held tightly against her chest.
“You're unusually quiet,” Lucio said.
“So are you.”
“I'm tired.”
Anna smiled. “Sure.”
They reached the hallway where they had to separate.
Before Lucio could leave, Anna suddenly stopped.
Her eyes had landed on someone across the corridor.
Euclid.
She was standing with two friends, laughing about something. The moment Euclid looked over and noticed Anna, she smiled.
Anna quickly looked away.
Lucio raised an eyebrow.
“Euclid?”
“Go to class.”
“So that's a yes?”
“Lucio!”
He laughed and walked away.
Anna shook her head before approaching Euclid.
“Morning.”
“Morning, Anna.”
They began walking toward class together.
Euclid asked about Anna's weekend, and Anna told her about church and the sermon. Euclid listened carefully, asking questions and laughing at Anna's little jokes.
By the time they reached the classroom, Anna felt strangely happy.
“Lunch?” Euclid asked.
Anna smiled.
“Lunch.”
As Euclid walked inside, Anna stood outside for a moment, smiling to herself.
She knew she was beginning to like Euclid more.
And that both excited and frightened her.
---
Meanwhile, Lucio was heading toward the sports field when he heard someone shout.
“Lucio!”
He turned.
A boy wearing the school's football jersey was jogging toward him.
Daniel.
Daniel was well known around school. He was talented at sports, confident, and always surrounded by people.
“You coming to practice after class?” Daniel asked.
“I don't know.”
“Come on. You should.”
Lucio hesitated.
Daniel had a reputation.
He was always getting into arguments, ignoring teachers, and finding ways to get himself into trouble. Some students admired him because he was good at sports, but others stayed away from him.
Lucio knew he probably should too.
Still, there was something about Daniel that made him curious.
“What sport?” Lucio asked.
“Football. Obviously.”
Daniel laughed.
Lucio smiled.
“Maybe.”
“Good. I'll see you.”
Daniel ran back toward the field.
Lucio watched him for a moment.
Something about Daniel didn't feel right.
---
At lunchtime, Anna found Lucio sitting beneath a tree.
“Where have you been?”
“Talking to Daniel.”
Anna's expression changed.
“Daniel?”
“Yeah.”
“You know what people say about him, right?”
Lucio shrugged.
“People say a lot of things.”
“Lucio, I'm serious.”
He looked at her.
“What?”
“He's always in trouble. Mom and Dad wouldn't want you getting involved with him.”
Lucio sighed.
“I know.”
“Then stay away from him.”
Before Lucio could answer, Daniel appeared behind them.
“There you are!”
He tossed a football toward Lucio.
Lucio caught it.
“Come on. Practice starts soon.”
Anna stood up.
“Lucio, don't.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Relax. We're just playing football.”
But Anna didn't like the way he said it.
There was something behind his smile.
Something she couldn't explain.
Lucio looked between his sister and Daniel.
For the first time, he felt caught between two choices.
His sister wanted him to stay away.
Daniel wanted him to come closer.
And Lucio wasn't sure which choice would cost him more.
Across the courtyard, Euclid watched Anna.
Anna noticed her and smiled.
For a moment, everything felt simple again.
But as the school bell rang, Anna had a strange feeling that their lives were about to become much more complicated.
She just didn't know how much trouble Daniel would bring with him.
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