Echoes of Aethra

Rose adjusted her blazer as she walked through the school gates, her expression calm, composed—perfect. On the outside, everything about her looked effortless. Inside… it never was. “Rose! Over here!” A group of girls waved her over near the courtyard. She smiled automatically and walked toward them, already slipping into the version of herself everyone expected. “Did you see the test results?” one of them asked eagerly. Rose nodded. “I did.” “Well?” another leaned closer. “You got first again, right?” For a split second—just a second—Rose hesitated. Then she smiled. “No,” she said lightly. “Second.” The reaction was immediate. “What? Again?” “Who beat you this time?” Rose didn’t need to answer. A quiet shift in the air was enough. Footsteps approached—steady, confident, unmistakable. “Move.” The girls instinctively stepped aside as Alex walked past them. Top of the class. Again. He didn’t even look at her at first, like she wasn’t worth the effort. That alone annoyed her more than anything else. Rose crossed her arms. “You could at least try to look surprised.” Alex stopped. Slowly, he turned to face her. “If I was surprised every time I beat you,” he said flatly, “I’d be exhausted.” A few people nearby laughed. Rose’s smile didn’t falter—but her eyes sharpened. “You beat me by one point.” “And yet,” Alex replied, holding up his paper slightly, “that was enough.” Their eyes locked. There it was again. That strange feeling. It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t even irritation. It was something deeper. Something… familiar. Rose frowned slightly, the feeling slipping away as quickly as it came. “You’re lucky,” she said. Alex raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you tell yourself?” “No,” she stepped closer, her voice lowering just enough. “It’s what I’ll remind you when I take your place.” For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them felt… charged. Then Alex gave a small, almost amused scoff. “Try it.” --- “Rose!” The tension snapped as a teacher called her from across the courtyard. She stepped back, smoothing her blazer again like nothing had happened. “I’ll see you at the top,” she said calmly. Alex watched her walk away. For some reason… He didn’t feel like he had won. --- The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes, conversations, and expectations. Rose answered questions perfectly. Took notes neatly. Smiled when she needed to. Everything was under control. It always was. Until— She dropped her pen. It rolled across the floor, stopping near someone else’s desk. Before she could move, a hand picked it up. Alex. He held it for a second longer than necessary. When their fingers brushed as she took it back— Rose froze. A sharp sensation ran through her, like a spark under her skin. Not pain. Not exactly. But something… unsettling. She pulled her hand back quickly. “Thanks,” she said, more quietly than usual. Alex didn’t respond immediately. He was staring at his hand. “…Yeah,” he muttered after a moment. Something felt off. --- That night, Rose couldn’t sleep. She turned in bed, staring at the ceiling. That feeling. It had happened again. Not just once—but twice. First when she looked at him. Then when they touched. She sat up, pressing a hand lightly against her chest. “Why does it feel like…” She stopped. Like what? Like she knew him? That was ridiculous. Rose shook her head and lay back down. “It’s nothing,” she whispered to herself. But even as she closed her eyes— She couldn’t shake the feeling. Like something was coming. Something she wasn’t ready for.