A chance at love;unexpectedly him

NEW TERRITORY

JEDIDIAH’S POV

After the lady showed me my locker, I arranged the few things I brought into it before closing it quietly.

The hallway was empty now.

Most students had already returned to their classrooms after the bell rang earlier.

The silence felt better.

Less overwhelming.

I adjusted my sleeves slightly before starting toward the classroom the lady had pointed out earlier.

I remember the principal calling her Audrey.

Honestly, navigating this place was harder than I expected.

Not because the school was confusing—

but because everyone here already seemed to belong somewhere.

Meanwhile, I knew absolutely no one.

Before I could continue further, the sound from the speaker suddenly echoed through the building.

“All students are to proceed immediately to the assembly hall.”

The announcement ended shortly after.

Then, almost immediately, classroom doors started opening around me as students poured back into the hallways.

The quiet atmosphere disappeared within seconds.

Voices.

Footsteps.

Laughter.

Whispers.

And somehow, even with so many people around me, I still felt oddly separate from all of it.

I simply followed the direction everyone else was heading.

Murmurs followed, too.

Constant.

“They said he transferred from overseas…”

“That’s Jedidiah Ashford…”

“He’s even finer up close…”

I ignored the comments and kept walking.

Eventually, I arrived at the assembly hall.

Students continued filing into the auditorium noisily while searching for seats beside friends.

I looked around briefly before choosing a seat near the front.

It looked serious enough.

Organized.

The noise inside the auditorium remained loud for several minutes before gradually reducing as more students settled down.

A few moments later, the principal stepped onto the stage.

Almost immediately, the talking stopped.

“Good morning, students.”

“Good morning, sir,” the hall responded.

The principal welcomed all senior students officially and wished them success in their final year at Everfield Academy.

After that, he began speaking about the upcoming school elections for student presidents and executive positions.

The reactions around the hall became immediate.

Excited whispers spread everywhere.

He continued by announcing upcoming inter-school competitions ranging from sports to debates, quizzes, science exhibitions, and music festivals.

Then came the field trips.

Leadership camps.

Charity events.

Academic tours.

Surprisingly…

I found myself paying attention.

Everything sounded strangely interesting.

Almost fun.

A type of life I had never really experienced before.

Eventually, the principal repeated the school rules and expectations before finally dismissing the assembly.

Instantly, students stood up noisily and began moving toward the exits all at once.

I stayed seated.

I didn’t particularly like crowded spaces.

So I waited patiently until the hall became less packed before finally standing up.

The noise had reduced drastically now.

I stood up and walked toward the exit quietly.

The hallway outside was still busy, though calmer than before.

Students walked past in groups while others lingered around talking loudly.

I adjusted my sleeves slightly and turned a corner—

Only to bump into someone.

“Oh—sorry,” we both said at the same time.

The girl stepped back immediately.

And the moment I looked at her properly,her name hit me with the sudden weight of a corporate file.

Shaniel.

Mirabel’s daughter.

She looked different from the last time I had seen her.

Older.

But still somehow the same.

Meanwhile, recognition flickered across her face briefly, a sharp break in her composure.

I could tell from the slight pause in her expression

Students continued walking past us, voices blending into the background.

For a second, neither of us said anything.

“Why are they standing together?”A student whispered

Then, footsteps suddenly approached from behind her.

“Shaniel!” Audrey’s voice echoed dramatically before she appeared beside her.

Her eyes widened the second she noticed me standing there.

And just like that, the moment was over.

Working at the company had always been easier because of Mirabel.

She handled most of my schedules alongside my father’s and somehow always made things less exhausting.

During company events and end-of-year parties, she occasionally brought Shaniel along.

That was how I knew her.

Not well.

But enough to recognize her.

And strangely…

she was the first familiar thing I had seen since arriving at Everfield Academy.

SHANIEL’S POV

Did he recognize me or something?

I don't think so.

That's impossible.

Honestly, I didn’t even know why it mattered.

It wasn’t like Jedidiah and I used to talk growing up.

I had only seen him a few times at company events whenever my mom brought me along.

Audrey grabbed my arm immediately after he left.

“What was THAT?” she whisper-shouted excitedly.

I met her gaze with a look as dry as a desert wind.

“That was me going to the auditorium to find my journal.”

Audrey narrowed her eyes instantly.

“You know exactly what I mean."

I ignored her and started walking towards the auditorium.

“Wait!, I have your journal,” she said quickly, reaching into her bag. “I picked it up earlier. That’s actually why I was looking for you.”

She handed it over to me.

I blinked.

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

I sighed softly in relief and took it from her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied casually before immediately leaning closer again.

“Now back to the important issue. What were you guys talking about?”

“Notthing"

Audrey’s eyes turned into thin, searching slits as we started walking back toward class.

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Fr, we didn’t talk,” I repeated. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Audrey looked unconvinced for a few seconds before eventually sighing dramatically.

“Hm. Fine.”

We continued walking down the hallway together.

Then suddenly, Audrey turned toward me again with the most suspicious smile ever.

“You know…” she started slowly, “you guys actually look good together.”

The air caught in my throat, hot and jagged.

“Audrey—”

But she was already running ahead and laughing before I could finish speaking.

“BYE!” she shouted mischievously while disappearing into the classroom.

I stared after her in disbelief.

Actually insane.

Audrey had a way of making heavy moments feel lighter without even trying.

I shook my head and continued walking.

Then I saw him.

The one thing I wasn’t ready to see.

Jared.