Unapproachable Horizon

Chapter 6: English Day Unfolds

The morning sun rose over Springwood High, casting a golden glow on the campus. Students buzzed with excitement as the long-awaited English Day finally arrived. The air was alive with chatter and the rustling of costumes. Banners hung across the halls, quoting famous literary works, while booths and decorations transformed the campus into a celebration of literature.

Zavierra arrived early, clipboard in hand, as she surveyed the preparations. As the Gazette’s president, she was responsible for overseeing the event, and her meticulous nature ensured everything was running smoothly. Kael followed close behind, teasing her about her “commander mode,” but quietly helping where needed.

Aiden was stationed near the photojournalism booth, setting up his camera. He felt a mix of nervousness and excitement—this was his chance to contribute meaningfully to the Gazette and impress Zavierra. He couldn’t help but steal glances at her as she moved through the crowd, her presence commanding respect and attention.

The Literary Character Contest was the highlight of the day. Students had spent weeks preparing their costumes, embodying characters from classic and modern literature. The auditorium filled with applause as the contestants paraded across the stage, each introducing their chosen character and performing a short monologue.

Zavierra sat among the judges, her sharp eyes analyzing each performance. Her pen moved quickly, jotting down notes. Arabella was one of the contestants, portraying Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind. Her elaborate costume sparkled under the stage lights, drawing gasps from the audience. But Zavierra noticed the performance lacked depth—it felt more like a display than an interpretation.

Aiden moved through the aisles, snapping pictures of the contestants and the audience’s reactions. His camera lens often lingered on Zavierra, capturing her composed demeanor as she judged the event. He hoped she wouldn’t notice.

Alisha participated in the article-writing competition, channeling her feelings of inferiority into a focused performance. She poured her heart into her piece, determined to excel and prove her worth. When the winners of the event were announced, Alisha beamed with pride, clutching her certificate.

Yet, as she scanned the crowd, her eyes landed on Aiden. She noticed how often his camera was pointed at Zavierra and felt a pang of frustration. She clenched her fists but forced a smile, hiding her emotions as she walked off the stage.

During a break, an argument erupted among a group of students over a miscommunication in the contest rules. Voices rose, and tensions flared. Zavierra, alerted to the commotion, stepped in with her usual calm authority.

“Enough,” she said, her voice firm but not harsh. “We’ll resolve this rationally. Let’s go over the rules together.”

Her composed approach quickly diffused the situation. The students nodded, some mumbling apologies. Aiden, standing nearby, watched in awe. He raised his camera and captured a candid shot of Zavierra mid-action, her poised expression embodying leadership.

As the day drew to a close, the Gazette announced the winners of the Literary Character Contest. The room erupted in cheers as the top prize went to a student portraying Atticus Finch. Arabella’s name wasn’t called, and though she smiled graciously, the tension in her jaw betrayed her disappointment.

As the crowd dispersed, Aiden found himself alone with Zavierra near the photojournalism booth. Summoning his courage, he approached her, holding his camera. “I thought you might want to see this,” he said, showing her the photo he’d taken during the earlier conflict.

Zavierra studied the image, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You’re getting better,” she said simply, handing the camera back to him. Her approval, though brief, sent Aiden’s heart racing.

Meanwhile, Arabella lingered in the shadows, overhearing snippets of conversation. Despite her outward composure, she was seething inside.

The whispers about her recent misstep hadn’t died down, and she felt the sting of doubt in her classmates’ voices. She clenched her fists, vowing to regain her footing.

Kael, ever observant, noticed Aiden’s lingering gaze on Zavierra and smirked. “Careful there, Anderson,” he teased as they walked out of the building. “You’re wearing your heart on your sleeve.”

Aiden flushed but didn’t reply, his thoughts too tangled to untangle.

That evening, Zavierra sat at her desk, pen in hand, writing in her journal. She reflected on the success of English Day but couldn’t shake her unease about Arabella. The girl’s actions didn’t sit right with her, and

Zavierra resolved to keep a closer eye on her.

In his room, Aiden scrolled through the photos he’d taken, pausing on the one of Zavierra. Her confident yet compassionate expression filled the frame. His heart ached as he admitted to himself what he had been denying—he had a crush on her.