HEART STRINGS

The morning sky over the school was soft and quiet, like it hadn't fully decided what kind of day it wanted to be. Rose stood near the school. She wasn't early, she wasn't late either. Just there, watching. People passed her in groups, laughter filling the air like music she didn't belong to. Rose wasn't the kind of person who needs attention to exist. "Rose!" A familiar voice cut through the noise. Jasmine waved as she ran towards her almost tripping over her own steps. " You won't believe what I heard this morning," Jasmine said catching her breath."There's going to be a transfer student in our class." Rose blinked slowly "So?" Jasmine gasped "So? That's all you're going to say?". Rose adjusted her bag on her shoulder . "It's just a student." Jasmine narrowed her eyes. " You're impossible, well it's not just any student it's Celeste Reid brother,Kelvin." Rose didn't reply. But her eyes drifted past jasmine toward the school building. Inside the classroom the atmosphere was louder than usual. Brielle was already talking in one corner, her voice mixing with laughter. Naomi quietly scrolled through her phone while occasionally glancing up like she was analyzing everyone in the classroom. Then, the classroom door slid open. Silence followed. Not the normal kind, the heavy kind. A boy walked in. He didn't bother greeting anyone as he entered the class, he just walked in like the room already belonged to him. He's expression was cold--unreadable, like he had no interest in anything going on around him. Not rude in a loud way just distant like people were background noise. Tall. Uniform neat but not overly perfect. His eyes scanned the room like he already knew none of it mattered. Kelvin Reid. Behind him, whispers exploded instantly. "Isn't that?" "Kelvin Reid?" "Celeste Reid's brother?!". Kelvin didn't react, Not even a blink. But his gaze moved... and stopped. On Rose she was just sitting there, calm as ever, not staring, not impressed, not even curious. Just looking. Like he was nothing special . Kelvin's eyes narrowed slightly. Then he looked away. Kelvin walked toward an empty seat. The one behind Rose. As he sat down, Rose didn't turn. Didn't look back. Didn't react at all. But Kelvin noticed something strange. No one in this room ignored him. Except her. And for the first time that morning... Kelvin Reid felt something unfamiliar. Not admiration. Not pride. Annoyance. The bell echoed through the hallways, marking the beginning of another school day. Everyone returned to their seats. Well... almost everyone. Whispers still floated around the room. "That's really Kelvin Reid..." "I heard his sister is filming a new movie." "He's even more handsome than I expected. Kelvin ignored every word. Leaning back in his chair, he rested his chin on one hand and stared out the window. As if none of them existed. Kelvin ignored every word. "Sit down," the teacher said quickly trying to gain control. Rose opened her notebook and prepared for the class. Not once she turned , not once she looked at him again . Most people either stare too much or try too hard to get his attention . Yet this girl acted as if he were just another classmate. Nothing more. Nothing less. For some reason, it irritated him. "Rose." The teacher's voice suddenly filled the room. " Please hand those worksheets to the student behind you." Rose picked up the paper and turned around . For the first time that day her eyes met Kevin's . His gaze was sharp, cold and unreadable. Rose simply handed out the paper, Kelvin stared at her for a moment before taking them. That was it. No nervousness. No excitement . Nothing. Kelvin watched her for a second longer. Then a small crease formed between his brows. "What's her problem." Across the room , Jasmine was trying so hard not to laugh . She could practically hear Kelvin's confusion from where she sat. Meanwhile , outside the classroom . A boy, Rowan walked through the corridor . His hair shifted slightly with each step. Several students greeted him as he passed . Unlike Kelvin he didn't ignore people, he noticed them. And among all the students in the school , there was one person he noticed the most. Rose. A small smile appeared on his face as he glanced towards her classroom door. Rowan had no idea that someone else had started paying attention to her too.