"THE COLOURS OF US"

"A Familiar Stranger: The Moment Everything Changed"

Ava sat in her dimly lit room, the soft glow of her bedside lamp casting golden hues against the walls. The painting on her easel dominated her thoughts—the same girl, the same hauntingly beautiful face. The strokes of her brush had captured something unexplainable, something that felt too real to be a coincidence.

Sophie’s words from earlier played in her mind like a song on repeat. She’s the same girl from the party. The revelation had sent shivers down her spine. How was it possible? The girl in her dreams, the one she had spent nights painting, was a real person.

Ava ran a hand through her hair, her chest tightening with an unfamiliar sensation. Who are you? she thought, staring at the painting as if it would answer. There was something about her—something that felt like a missing puzzle piece waiting to be placed.

She lay back on her bed, exhaling sharply. Her heart was still racing, and her mind refused to quiet. But exhaustion eventually won, and her eyes fluttered shut. As sleep pulled her under, she half-hoped she would see the girl again in her dreams.

The morning sun peeked through Ava’s curtains, spilling warm light across her room. The usual morning sounds of breakfast chatter and clinking dishes echoed through the house.

Ava rushed to get ready, pulling on her favourite sweater and jeans before brushing her hair. Just as she grabbed her bag, her little sister Attracta bounded into her room.

“Hurry up, slowpoke! You’re gonna be late,” Attracta teased, grinning.

Ava smirked. “You’re the one who’s always late, brat.”

“Not today!” Attracta stuck out her tongue and ran down the hall, her laughter trailing behind her.

And they rushed down to the dining table for breakfast, where their parents were already sitting having breakfast.

“ Hy mom and Dad” AVA and ATTRACTA said in unison. Good morning babies, their parents replied.

So what are we having for breakfast? Attracta asked” Toasted bread, bacon and a cup of milk” MARIA replied. " Ooooooh Yummy Ava replied happily.

Now hurry up and have your breakfast , Landon will be taking you to school today, although he hasn't done that in weeks “Carlos told the girls”, Okay Daddy! Ava and Attracta replied.

Meanwhile, across town, Von Jacobs stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the collar of her jacket. This was it—her first day at Ashwood Elite High School . Excitement and nerves swirled inside her.

“Elijah, are you ready?” she called out, turning to see her twin brother leaning against the doorway.

He grinned. “Relax, Von. You’re gonna love it.”

She huffed. “Easy for you to say. You’ve already made friends.”

Elijah chuckled and slung his bag over his shoulder. “Just be yourself. They’re gonna like you.”

Von nodded, pushing down the nervous energy bubbling in her chest. With one last deep breath, she followed her brother out the door, her mind buzzing with anticipation.

Ashwood High was alive with the usual morning chaos—lockers slamming, students chatting, and teachers hurrying to their classrooms.

Ava stood by her locker, shifting uncomfortably as she thought about Sophie’s words from the previous night.

“Are you sure about the girl?” Ava asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Sophie shut her locker with a knowing smirk. “Positive. You’ll see her soon enough.”

Before Ava could ask more, she felt a familiar arm wrap around her shoulders.

“Hey, babe,” Jamie greeted, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “What are you two talking about?”

Ava hesitated, her stomach twisting. “Uh, nothing. Just school stuff.”

Sophie shot her a knowing glance but said nothing.

Jamie leaned against the locker beside Ava, his eyes flickering between them. “Alright... well, wanna grab coffee after school?”

Ava forced a smile. “Hmmmm, I don't think it will be possible.”

Why? Jamie asked. Well, I have to help Attracta out with some of her school work today.

Okay, Jamie said. And he continued telling them about his weekend plans

As Jamie chatted about his plans for the weekend, Ava struggled to focus. Her mind was elsewhere—on the mystery girl, on the painting, on the strange pull she felt toward someone she hadn’t even met.

The classroom buzzed with the usual morning chatter. Ava and Sophie sat in their seats, deep in conversation, when the door opened.

Elijah walked in with someone by his side.

“Hey, everyone,” he called out. “I’d like you all to meet my sister, Von.”

Ava wasn’t facing the door. She was mid-sentence when Sophie suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“Ava. Turn around.”

Something in Sophie’s voice sent a shiver down Ava’s spine. She slowly turned her head—

And then the world seemed to stop.

Time stretched and warped as Ava locked eyes with the girl from her painting. Von Jacobs.

Ava’s breath hitched. She felt a jolt in her chest—like recognition, like déjà vu, like something she couldn’t explain.

Von tilted her head slightly, her lips parting as if she, too, felt the weight of the moment. Her deep brown eyes held curiosity, recognition… something unspoken.

Ava’s heart pounded. She couldn’t move, couldn’t look away.

Sophie’s voice broke the silence. “Ava… that’s her.”

Von’s gaze lingered for a beat longer before Elijah guided her forward.

Ava barely heard their teacher introducing Von to the class. All she could hear was the rush of blood in her ears.

Ava sat frozen in her seat. Her pulse hammered in her throat as she struggled to process what had just happened.

Von. The girl from her dreams. The girl she had painted.

And now she was here. In her class. Real.

Ava’s stomach twisted. A wave of guilt surged through her. How could she be feeling this? This pull, this… attraction? She was with Jamie. She loved Jamie.

Didn’t she?

Elijah stepped aside, revealing the only available seat—right beside Ava.

Von hesitated, then made her way toward it. Ava clenched her hands under her desk, trying to steady her racing pulse.

“Hey,” Von greeted as she sat down.

Ava swallowed. “Hey.”

Their eyes met again. The pull between them was undeniable.

Throughout the lesson, Ava felt hyper-aware of Von’s presence beside her. Every time Von shifted, every time she scribbled in her notebook, Ava noticed.

Von caught her staring once. She smiled softly, and Ava looked away, her cheeks burning.

What was happening to her?

The teacher droned on, but Ava wasn’t listening. She could feel Sophie’s eyes boring into her from behind.

When the bell rang, Ava shot out of her seat, grabbing Sophie along with her because she needed air.

As they were walking to the cafeteria, Sophie asked Ava if he was going on with her. What's going on with you, Ava? I saw how you and the new girl were looking at each other “Sophie said” Ava feeling nervous, pulled Sophie to the corner, SOPH! Ava said quietly, Yes Sophie answered her. Soph, I think I have a very strong feeling for the new girl.

What!! Sophie said with her mouth and eyes wide open, I didn't know you have a thing for girls Ava, I always thought you were straight. I didn't know that either, I just have this connection with Von. Gosh! This is so complicated, Ava, “Sophie replied, sounding worried. Let's grab something to eat , we will sort this out later.

They left the corner and headed to the cafeteria. When they got there, they scanned the cafeteria for an empty table. When they found one, they grabbed their lunch and headed there. As they were eating and discussing, Ava got sight of Von heading towards their direction, and she picked up her lunch immediately, trying to leave quickly before. But before she could escape, Von gently touched her wrist.

“Hey,” Von said, her voice soft. “Mind if I sit with you guys for lunch?”

"Not at all," Ava said, shifting to make space.

Von joined them and introduced herself “ I am Von Jacobs, Elijah's twin sister, and I just moved to Ashwood

Where have you been all this while? “Sophie asked”

Well, I have been living with my grandparents in New York since O was 13 years old. They passed during summer, so my parents moved me back home with them “Von explained”

I'm so sorry about your grandparents! Ava and Sophie replied in Unison.

Ooh, that's okay, "Von said, smiling at Ava

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. Von told them about her passion for music, her old school, and her love for playing the piano.

Then Jamie walked up, sliding an arm around Ava’s shoulders and kissing her on the lips.

"Hey, babe."

Ava tensed. Von’s eyes flickered toward Jamie, unreadable.

Sophie, sensing the tension, quickly interjected. "Jamie, this is Von. Elijah’s sister."

Jamie’s gaze settled on Von. “Oh, right. Welcome to Ashwood.”

“Thanks,” Von said, her voice steady.

Jamie didn’t move his arm from Ava’s shoulders. Ava felt caught in between them, something shifting inside her.

Von held her gaze for a moment longer before turning back to her food.

Ava let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

As the school day ended, Von caught up to Ava.

“Hey,” Von said. “Would you want to come over for dinner sometime? My mom’s a great cook.”

Ava hesitated, then nodded. “I’d like that.”

Von grinned. “Cool. I’ll text you the details.”

As Ava walked home, her heart felt lighter—but also more confused than ever.

Because for the first time in a long time, something inside her had shifted.

And she wasn’t sure she wanted it to stop.