"WHEN OUR HEARTS FOUND THEIR WAY HOME"

Chapter 1 — The Girl by the Window Emma had never liked goodbyes. She hated the way people smiled while saying them, pretending that leaving was easy. She hated the promises that came with them. We'll stay in touch. Nothing will change. I'll never forget you. She had heard those words before. And she had learned that people did change. That was why, when her family moved to a small town after her father accepted a new job, Emma decided she would not get attached to anyone. It would be easier that way. Their new house stood at the end of a quiet street, surrounded by trees and small gardens. It was nothing like the apartment they had lived in before. There were no tall buildings outside her window, no busy streets, and no familiar faces. Everything felt too quiet. On her first morning at her new school, Emma walked through the hallway with her backpack over one shoulder. She kept her eyes down. She wanted to disappear. Unfortunately, that plan lasted only three minutes. “Hey.” Emma looked up. A boy stood in front of her. He had messy dark hair, a school bag hanging loosely from one shoulder, and a smile that seemed far too confident for eight in the morning. “You're new, right?” Emma nodded. “I’m Noah.” She waited. Noah raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to tell me your name?” “Emma.” “Nice to meet you, Emma.” “You too.” She tried to walk past him. He moved aside. Then he walked beside her. “Where are you going?” “Classroom.” “Which one?” She showed him her schedule. Noah looked at it. “Oh. Same building. Come on.” “I can find it.” “I know.” “Then why are you coming?” “Because I’m going there too.” Emma sighed. For some reason, Noah laughed. “What?” “Nothing.” “You're laughing at me.” “No. I just think you're funny.” “I haven't said anything funny.” “Exactly.” Emma rolled her eyes. But she smiled. Just a little. She didn't notice Noah seeing it. And she certainly didn't know that years later, he would still remember that first smile.