New Faces and Unseen Tensions

The sunlit morning brought with it the usual buzz of activity at the hostel. Students streamed into the dining hall, some already dressed for school, others still in their pajamas, rubbing sleep from their eyes. David was seated at his usual spot near the window, eating toast and sipping tea while Ollie animatedly recounted a dream he had about being chased by a giant football.

"I swear it had legs!" Ollie exclaimed, flailing his arms for emphasis.

Jake chuckled, stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth. "Maybe that's a sign you should practice more."

"Practice for what?" Lucy's voice chimed in as she joined them, her sharp eyes scanning the room. She had a knack for arriving just as conversations turned interesting.

"For outrunning nightmares," Jake quipped, earning a laugh from the group.

"Not bad," Lucy admitted with a grin. "So, what's the agenda for today?"

Before anyone could answer, the door swung open, and a tall, lanky boy walked in, accompanied by a girl with auburn hair and freckles. The boy had an easy confidence about him, his uniform crisp and his tie perfectly knotted, while the girl looked more reserved, clutching a book tightly to her chest.

"Who are they?" David whispered to Ollie.

"Newbies," Ollie replied, leaning in conspiratorially. "Transferred here yesterday. Heard their dad's in the military, so they've moved around a lot."

The boy caught their gaze and offered a polite nod, which David returned. Moments later, the hostel master appeared, his stern expression softening as he addressed the newcomers.

"Everyone, meet Liam and Sarah. They'll be joining us from today. Show them the ropes, and make them feel at home."

At school, the day unfolded with a mix of anticipation and unease. Liam's presence in the classroom was impossible to ignore; his sharp wit and quick grasp of lessons immediately caught the teachers' attention. During break, he joined David and the group under the sprawling oak tree that served as their regular meeting spot.

"So, you're into football?" Liam asked David, gesturing to the worn-out ball by his feet.

"For fun, yeah," David replied. "Not part of any teams, though."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Why not? You've got the build for it."

"Never thought about it seriously," David admitted.

"Well, you should. A good striker can turn the tide of any match."

Sarah, meanwhile, sat quietly beside Lucy, observing the dynamics of the group. Her green eyes flicked between the speakers, and when Lucy cracked a sarcastic joke about Jake's inability to stay onside during a football match, Sarah smiled faintly.

"Do you play?" Lucy asked, breaking the ice.

"Not really," Sarah replied, her voice soft but clear. "I prefer reading or writing."

Lucy nodded approvingly. "Smart choice. Fewer bruises that way."

The switch between school and hostel life was marked by a clear divide, but that evening, the boundaries seemed to blur. The common room was abuzz with excitement as students gathered to watch a movie on the outdated television. Liam and Sarah joined the group, quickly finding their place among the crowd.

David noticed Sarah sitting alone in the corner, her book open but her attention elsewhere. He approached her, sitting down at a respectful distance.

"Not your kind of movie?" he asked.

She looked up, startled, but relaxed when she saw his friendly expression. "Not really. I'm more of a fantasy and mystery fan."

"Got any recommendations?"

She hesitated before offering a small smile. "The 'Mistborn' series. Ever heard of it?"

David shook his head. "Not yet, but I'll check it out."

Their conversation was cut short by a loud cheer from the other side of the room. Liam had just beaten Jake in an impromptu arm-wrestling match, and the boys were congratulating him enthusiastically.

"Looks like your brother's settling in," David said, nodding toward the commotion.

Sarah's smile widened slightly. "He always does. He's good at making friends."

Later that night, as the hostel settled into its usual rhythm, a faint commotion arose in the hallway. David, half-asleep, heard muffled voices and footsteps. Curious, he got up and peeked out the door.

"What's going on?" he whispered to Ollie, who was already awake and craning his neck to see.

"Someone's lost their wallet," Ollie whispered back. "Tom's accusing Liam of taking it."

David frowned. "Already? He's only been here a day."

The argument grew louder, with Tom's voice carrying over the others. "I know it was you! You're new here, and now my wallet's gone!"

"I didn't take anything," Liam replied calmly, though his fists were clenched at his sides.

The hostel master appeared moments later, his imposing presence silencing the argument. "That's enough. Tom, you'll explain this in my office. The rest of you, back to bed."

As the students dispersed, David caught a glimpse of Sarah's worried expression as she followed her brother down the hallway.

The tension lingered the next morning, but David couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Liam's story. He resolved to find out the truth not just about the wallet, but about the newcomers who had already made such an impact on their lives.