A Day Of Unexpected Smiles
1432 Words
Evan arrived at school earlier than he ever had. The sun had only just begun to creep over the rooftops, casting soft gold rays across the parking lot. A few teachers stood near the entrance sipping coffee, and several students shuffled around half-awake, dragging their feet as if their dreams hadn’t quite let them go.
But Evan was wide awake.
Too awake.
He hovered near the main entrance, pretending to scroll through his phone while his eyes stayed fixed on the road leading to the drop-off lane. His fingers tapped against the metal pole beside him, jittery with anticipation. Normally, he hated mornings—slow, quiet, boring—but today felt different.
He was waiting.
And then—there it was.
Mr. Martins’ silver sedan glided into the drop-off lane, sunlight bouncing off its hood. Evan straightened so quickly he almost knocked his backpack off his shoulder. He ducked behind one of the large concrete pillars, peeking out just enough to see the passenger door open.
Bethany stepped out.
Her braids swayed gently as she adjusted her bag strap. The bright, warm smile she flashed at her dad through the window felt like sunlight reflected twice. She waved, then closed the door with her usual softness, like she never wanted anything to slam.
A few passing students paused to look at her—they always seemed drawn to her without understanding why. Maybe it was her friendly energy… or the way her eyes lit up when she laughed… or the way she walked like she didn’t know people were watching.
Evan swallowed.
His stomach twisted in that weird way it had started doing whenever Bethany appeared.
Before he could overthink it, he stepped out from behind the pillar and lightly tapped her shoulder.
Bethany whipped around, eyes wide for a split second—then her face melted into pure delight.
Beth: “Hey Van!”
Her voice—bright, bubbly, warm—hit him straight in the chest.
Evan: (grinning) “Hey Martins!”
Their laughter burst out at the same time, bouncing off the hallway walls and echoing in the morning quiet. Students walking by turned to glance at them, but neither of them cared. Evan felt something flutter in his chest—light, unfamiliar, and strangely addictive.
They walked side by side, backpacks brushing gently as they merged with the stream of students entering the building.
Evan: “You look so awake. Did you sleep early for once?”
Bethany snorted.
Bethany: “Me? Sleep early? Never. I stayed up reading again.”
He shook his head with exaggerated disappointment.
Evan: “I knew it. You and books have an unhealthy relationship.”
Bethany: “At least they don’t break my heart.”
His eyebrows shot up.
Evan: “Ouch.”
Their conversation flowed effortlessly—about mystery novels, the math test they would probably fail together, and the cafeteria’s ever-changing “mystery meat special.”
As they walked, Evan stole quick glances at her. He tried to be discreet but failed miserably. There was something about her today—maybe the way the sun turned her hair golden brown, or the tiny freckles that dusted her nose, or the soft curve of her smile…
He quickly looked away when she glanced up at him.
The morning felt brighter.
The hallway felt shorter.
And for the first time in weeks, Evan felt… happy. Truly happy.
⸻
THE LIBRARY BREAK
When the first bell rang for break, they remembered the promise they’d made the day before.
“Let’s hit the library and actually study.”
Most students rushed toward the cafeteria or the courtyard, but Bethany and Evan made their way up the stairs to the second-floor library—a quiet sanctuary for the academically doomed and book lovers alike.
The moment they stepped inside, a wave of calm washed over them. The hum of fluorescent lights, the cold air-conditioning, the smell of old books and polished tables—it felt like a reset button for noisy school life.
They chose a table near the large window. Sunlight spilled across the wooden surface, warm and inviting. Bethany set her novel down like it was treasure, sliding into her seat with a soft sigh.
Evan opened his textbook, pretending to be productive.
But he couldn’t stop watching her.
The way she tucked a stray braid behind her ear.
The way she bit her lip when she concentrated.
The way her lashes fluttered when she read something exciting.
He wasn’t trying to be creepy—he just couldn’t help noticing things now. Things he never paid attention to before.
After a few minutes, Bethany’s eyes began to droop. Her head bobbed forward once… then twice… then she leaned back and blinked rapidly, trying to stay awake.
Evan bit his lip to hide his smile.
Evan: (teasing whisper) “Did you go out to see Dolphin Martins last night?”
Bethany’s head jerked up instantly.
Bethany: “That’s not funny.”
Her voice came out thick and sleepy.
Evan leaned closer, smirk widening.
Bethany stared at him—half offended, half amused—and burst into a quiet laugh.
Bethany: “Bla bla bla…”
Her playful eye-roll only made him laugh harder, and the sound filled the quiet corners of the library.
Students turned to look, and the librarian raised an eyebrow, but they didn’t care. It felt good to laugh. It felt easy.
Before they knew it, the break bell rang again—sharp and sudden.
They packed their books, their shoulders bumping lightly as they walked out of the library. Their banter continued all the way down the hallway—mock arguments about dolphins, dramatic reenactments of cafeteria tragedies, and exaggerated impressions of their teachers.
Evan felt lighter.
Alive.
Like something inside him had finally unclenched.
⸻
THE HALLWAY SHIFT
Just as they reached their classroom, a familiar voice called out.
Ava: “Hey Beth! Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!”
Bethany stopped.
Evan paused too, but then—respectfully—slipped inside the classroom to give them space.
Bethany turned to Ava.
Bethany: “I was with Evan. We studied at the library.”
Ava raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, eyes full of playful accusation.
Ava: “Again? You’ve been hanging out with him a lot lately.”
Bethany’s cheeks warmed.
Bethany: “He just did his sister’s death anniversary, Av. I wanted to keep him busy.”
Ava’s teasing expression softened—only to shift right back into mischief.
Ava: “Sooo… you’re doing all this just because you feel bad for him?
Nothing else?”
Bethany stiffened.
Bethany: “Yes, Av! No strings attached!”
Ava lifted her hands in surrender, trying (and failing) to hide her smirk.
Ava: “Uhmm, okay.”
Bethany sighed dramatically.
Bethany: “Come on! It’s not like that. I’m just being a friend.”
Ava: “Sure, sure. Just don’t forget to breathe.”
Bethany rolled her eyes as they headed into class together.
THE NOTE
Inside the classroom, Evan sat at his desk, pretending to focus on the board. But the moment Bethany walked in, his shoulders straightened, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a tiny smile.
When the teacher turned around to write on the board, Evan slid a folded note onto Bethany’s desk.
She opened it under the table.
A small doodle stared back at her—a dolphin wearing a shiny little crown. Underneath it, in Evan’s messy handwriting:
“King of the Library?”
Bethany slapped a hand over her mouth to hide her giggle.
She shot him a playful glare.
He responded with a wink.
Her heart skipped.
The whole day passed like that—glances, smiles, jokes, and quiet moments that felt louder than anything else in the room.
AFTER SCHOOL
When the final bell rang, the building exploded with chatter and movement. Students rushed out as if the school had been holding them hostage. Bethany and Evan walked together toward the gate, neither of them eager to say goodbye.
There was a moment of quiet between them—comfortable, warm.
Evan stopped walking.
Evan: “Hey, Martins?”
Bethany: “Yeah?”
She tilted her head up at him, lips curved slightly, eyes curious.
He hesitated, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat.
Evan: “Want to grab some ice cream with me?”
Bethany’s smile brightened instantly.
Bethany: “I’d love to.”
Evan felt his heart skip—just once, but enough to make him inhale sharply.
Maybe today was a day of unexpected smiles.
- Writer
