Chapter 16

Chiara's POV

The first day of school had all the usual buzz and chaos, but instead of nerves, I felt excitement bubbling under the surface. Walking in with Lauren at my side made everything easier, as usual. She was practically bouncing, radiating the kind of energy that could make even the most nerve-wracking situation feel like a party.

We followed Professor Xander into the classroom, and just like that, all eyes were on us. The whispers spread quickly, people sizing us up. I didn't mind, though. It came with being the new kids. Lauren was already soaking it all in, flashing her bright smile at anyone who made eye contact. I just focused on keeping my own smile relaxed, a bit more low-key, while I scanned the room.

And then, I saw Hale.

Sitting at the back with Noah, she looked up and our eyes met. For a second, it felt like time slowed down, just like in those cheesy movies where everything else blurs out of focus. There she was, someone familiar in this sea of strangers. It was a total surprise, but a good one. A smile tugged at my lips. Who would've thought we'd end up at the same school?

Lauren and I did our introductions, her usual bubbly self lighting up the room. I followed, keeping it simple, and then it was time to pick seats. It wasn't even a question—I was heading straight for Hale and Noah. The moment I asked if we could sit with them, Hale gave me this smile, like she was happy we were there.

"Mind if we join you?" I asked.

"Not at all," Hale said, already shifting her bag to make room.

Noah grinned and gestured for Lauren to take the seat next to him. "Welcome to our little corner," he said, giving her a playful wink. Lauren laughed and plopped down, her vibrant energy immediately filling the space. "Thanks! I have a feeling this is going to be a fun semester!"

We all settled in, and for the rest of class, it felt so natural. Like we had always been this little group—me, Lauren, Hale, and Noah. I kept sneaking glances at Hale, and she was doing the same. There was an unspoken understanding that we were already friends. Somehow, the first night we met and that one night had created a connection we hadn't even realized was there.

When class ended, the room erupted in chatter as everyone scrambled to leave, but we hung back, a little circle of familiarity in the midst of it all. Hale turned to me, her expression full of curiosity and amusement.

"You're studying business?" she asked, her tone light but genuinely surprised.

I laughed, nodding. "Yeah! I didn't know you were, too. Crazy, right?"

She smiled, shaking her head in disbelief. "I had no idea. It's kind of wild that we both ended up here, in the same class, on the same path."

"I know!" I leaned forward on my desk, the coincidence making me feel like the universe had planned this. "I moved here last minute to stay with my uncle, and Lauren came back around the same time. I didn't expect to run into you at all."

Hale laughed softly, her eyes lighting up with that familiar warmth. "Yeah, same. I mean, what are the odds? I've been here for a while, and suddenly, here you are. It's awesome, though."

Before I could say anything else, Noah chimed in with a grin. "This is fate, obviously," he said, leaning back in his chair. "We're all meant to be here together."

Lauren nodded enthusiastically, bouncing in her seat. "Exactly! This is like the dream team. We should hang out more, all four of us."

I grinned, nodding in agreement. "I'm all for that. It'd be great to have some fun outside of school, too."

Hale shot me a bright smile, clearly on board with the idea. "Yeah, I'd love that. We should definitely plan something soon."

Noah gave a mock-serious nod. "I think we need a proper reunion. Coffee? Maybe ice cream again? You know, to keep things nostalgic."

"Or both!" Lauren added, eyes sparkling. "Coffee and ice cream. That's a winning combo."

The four of us shared a laugh, and it felt like everything was falling into place. I'd thought moving again would be tough, and it had been, but finding Hale and Noah made everything feel easier, more familiar. It wasn't just a fresh start; it was like picking up from where we left off, but with something new and exciting ahead.

I glanced over at Hale, and for the first time, it felt like we were right where we were supposed to be. Not just as classmates, but as friends, ready to take on this new beginning together.

"Alright," Hale said, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder, "I'm holding you guys to that coffee and ice cream plan."

"Deal," I replied with a grin, feeling a new sense of excitement for what was coming next.

As we all headed toward the door, Lauren and Noah were already plotting out the details of our first hangout, laughing and bouncing ideas off each other.

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Walking down the hallway with the four of them felt like the start of something good. We were still laughing and throwing around ideas for our upcoming hangout—coffee, ice cream, maybe even a movie night. Noah, as usual, was cracking jokes while Lauren threw in her endless energy, bouncing between ideas like she couldn't settle on just one.

"So, Saturday?" Lauren asked, grinning as she glanced at the three of us.

Hale nodded, "Yeah, that works for me. I'll need a break by then."

"Same," I agreed, laughing. "I'm down for whatever. It's been too long since I've had a proper chill day."

As we turned the corner and entered the cafeteria, I couldn't help but notice the buzz that immediately rippled through the crowd. Eyes were turning toward us—specifically, toward Lauren and me. It was like being the new kids on the block had made us the subject of everyone's curiosity. Whispers followed us, and I could hear snippets of conversation.

"Who are they?" boy 1

"New girls, I think." boy 2

"Think I have a chance?" boy 3

"I smell something fishy about them." girl 1

"Look, they are with Hale and Noah." girl 2

Lauren didn't seem to mind, her bright smile not wavering in the slightest. She even waved at a few curious faces as we found a table near the windows. Noah just chuckled under his breath, used to the way Lauren handled any attention.

"Feels like we're celebrities," I joked, settling into my chair.

"Yeah, I'm sure that'll wear off soon," Hale said, her voice light but with a hint of something else beneath it.

"Alright, what's everyone getting?" she asked after we sat down. "It's my treat today."

"Really?" Noah perked up, grinning. "You're too good to us, Hale."

She waved him off. "Except you, I'm not gonna treat you."

"Oh come onnnnn, treat me toooooo." Noah exaggeratedly said

"Fine, this is the last time, alright? Treat me next time." She hopelessly replied. "Noted, boss! You're the best." Noah triumphantly said.

We all placed our orders—nothing too crazy, just sandwiches, fries and drinks—and Hale headed off to the counter. Lauren leaned back in her chair, her eyes following Hale before turning back to us.

"I like her," she said simply, her tone light and genuine. "She's cool."

"She's the coolest," Noah agreed, smiling. "You two will get along great."

A few minutes passed, and Hale returned with a tray full of food. Just as she was about to sit down, though, the sound of laughter cut through the cafeteria. It was loud, and it immediately drew my attention—and Hale's.

The laughter came from a table across the room. Sitting there, surrounded by a small group of friends, was a beautiful woman around our age. And right next to her, is her boyfriend, I think? They were laughing together, completely unaware of the storm that was brewing just a few tables away.

Hale froze for a second, her hand gripping the tray a little tighter. The change in her was instant. The lightness in her eyes dimmed, and the smile she'd been wearing vanished. She tried to sit down like nothing was wrong, but I could see it—the way her shoulders tensed, the way her gaze flickered back to them even though she was trying not to look.

I didn't need to look to know what, or rather who, had caused it. The laughter from that table, the one with the girl and her boyfriend, still rang through the cafeteria. Maybe it is because of her, she must be Cassandra and the boy beside her is Theo, her new boyfriend.

I glanced over at the group again. They were completely oblivious, lost in their own world. Cassandra's laugh was light and easy, the sound of someone who didn't have a care in the world. But to Hale, that laugh was a reminder. A reminder of betrayal, of pain.

Noah must have noticed too, because he stopped mid-sentence, glancing between Hale and the table across the room. But he didn't say anything, just leaned back, letting the moment pass in silence.

I could feel the tension growing, and I hated seeing Hale like that. She was trying to act like it didn't bother her, but I knew better. The smile she forced when she handed out the food was paper-thin, and her eyes kept darting back toward Cassandra and Theo.

I scooted a little closer to her, careful not to make it too obvious, and leaned in. "Hey," I said softly, keeping my voice low so only she could hear. "You okay?"

She nodded, but it was a weak one. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… didn't expect to see them today."

I gave her a small, reassuring smile, leaning my shoulder against hers. "If it gets too much, we can leave. No pressure."

Hale glanced at me, her eyes softening a little. "Thanks, Chiara. I'm okay, really."

But I knew she wasn't—not completely. So I decided to keep an eye on her, just in case.

Cassandra's laughter rang out again, and this time I saw Hale's jaw tighten. I wanted to do something, to distract her from whatever memories were clawing their way to the surface. So I quickly nudged her with my elbow, giving her a playful grin.

"Hey, don't let them ruin our first day together, okay? We've got better things to focus on—like figuring out how much coffee and ice cream we can actually consume in one day."

Hale let out a small, genuine laugh at that, her shoulders relaxing just a bit. "You're right. I'm not going to let them get to me. Not today."

Noah raised his glass with a grin, trying to shift the mood. "Here's to ice cream and coffee. The real important things in life." Lauren joined in, clinking her cup with his. "Amen to that."

Hale smiled, this time a little brighter, and clinked her drink with the rest of us. It wasn't much, but at least for the moment, we were back to our little group, and Cassandra and Theo were just background noise. Still, I kept an eye on Hale. I wasn't about to let anything or anyone ruin her day—not if I could help it.