chapter 1: The Day We Met
Maya hated being late.
Unfortunately, being late seemed to love her.
She hurried through the school gates, holding her bag tightly against her side while trying not to trip over her own feet. She glanced at the time on her phone and groaned.
“I’m definitely getting in trouble,” she muttered.
The school was already crowded. Students rushed through the hallways, some talking loudly with their friends while others hurried toward their classrooms before the teachers arrived.
Maya picked up her pace.
She turned the corner without looking ahead.
And suddenly—
Bam!
She crashed straight into someone.
Her books slipped from her arms and scattered across the floor.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” Maya exclaimed.
She immediately crouched down to pick them up.
“It’s okay.”
Maya stopped.
She looked up.
A boy was already kneeling on the floor, picking up her books.
He looked around her age. His dark hair was slightly messy, as if he had run his fingers through it too many times, and there was an amused smile on his face.
Maya stared at him for a second.
“You’re not angry?” she asked.
He handed her one of her notebooks.
“Should I be?”
“You could be.”
He pretended to think about it.
“Hmm. Maybe I’ll consider it.”
Maya laughed.
“You’re weird.”
“And you just ran into me.”
“That was an accident.”
“Sure.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Thank you for helping me.”
“No problem.”
He handed her the last book and stood up.
Maya adjusted the books in her arms before noticing something.
“Wait. You’re new, aren’t you?”
The boy nodded.
“First day.”
She looked at him sympathetically.
“That’s unfortunate.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“This school is confusing. You’ll probably get lost.”
He stared at her for a moment.
“That’s very encouraging.”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t help you.”
His expression changed into a smile.
“So you’re offering to be my guide?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Maya shook her head, smiling.
“What’s your name?”
“Ethan. Yours?”
“Maya.”
“Nice to meet you, Maya.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
They started walking toward the classroom together.
At first, neither of them said much.
Then Ethan broke the silence.
“So, Maya, how long have you been here?”
“Since forever.”
He laughed.
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“I’ve been here for years.”
“Okay. And what’s the most important thing I need to know?”
Maya thought for a moment.
“Never annoy Mr. Collins.”
“Why?”
“He gives surprise tests.”
Ethan's smile disappeared.
“Okay. That is important information.”
Maya laughed.
By the time they reached the classroom, Ethan already felt more comfortable.
During lunch, he found Maya sitting alone and walked over.
“Is this seat taken?”
She looked up.
“No.”
He sat down.
“You survived your first few hours,” she said.
“Barely.”
“I told you this place was confusing.”
“You also said you'd help me.”
“I did. And look at you. You made it to lunch.”
“Because of your amazing guidance.”
Maya laughed.
As they talked, they discovered that they had more in common than either of them expected. They liked similar music, had the same sense of humor, and both agreed that school mornings were terrible.
They also discovered something else.
Neither of them could stop making the other laugh.
By the end of the day, Maya had almost forgotten that Ethan had been a complete stranger that morning.
When the final bell rang, they walked toward the school gate together.
Ethan suddenly stopped.
“So…”
Maya turned around.
“So what?”
“Friends?”
Maya smiled.
“Friends.”
He nodded.
“Best friends?”
She laughed.
“You’re moving a little fast.”
“Fine. I’ll work my way up.”
“Good luck.”
Ethan grinned.
“Thanks. I’ll need it.”
Maya shook her head and continued walking.
Neither of them knew it then, but that small accident in the hallway would become the beginning of something much bigger.
A friendship filled with laughter, secrets, arguments, and memories.
And eventually, feelings neither of them was prepared for.
Because sometimes, the person who changes your life is someone you never expected to meet.
And sometimes…
your best friend becomes the person your heart chooses.
