GROWING FAMILIARITY

Sia woke up to the usual—Sophie's music playing down the hall, the house quiet except for them, their mom was already gone for work.

Routine. That's what it was becoming. The excitement of "new" was wearing off, leaving reality in its place.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stretched before swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

As she brushed her hair, she caught sight of the faint bruise on her elbow.A flicker of memory—Brad, the hallway, the solid impact, his sharp eyes, the slight smirk, the way he barely reacted while she nearly lost balance.

She frowned, running her fingers over the spot, She shook it off. Not worth thinking about.It wasn't a big deal. Just a bump.

She shook off the thought and got ready, heading to Sophie's room. As expected, her sister was at the mirror, applying another coat of lip gloss, her soft brown curls bouncing as she moved

At breakfast, Sophie casually mentioned how their mom seemed exhausted lately, though she'd never admit it.

""You think Mom's been more exhausted lately?"Sophie asked casually, pushing her eggs around on her plate."She got home late again" she added "I think she's trying not to make a big deal out of it."

Sia glanced up. It wasn't the first time she'd noticed it. The late nights, the way their mom rubbed at her temples when she thought no one was looking. The dark circles. The tight smile. But she didn't comment. Their mom had always handled things on her own.

"She'd never admit it," Sia said simply.

Sophie sighed, taking a sip of coffee. "Yeah."

Neither of them said anything else.

At school -

The day moved fast. Faster than before.

By now, the school hallways weren't as overwhelming. Faces were becoming familiar, voices blending into a predictable rhythm.

And somehow, Brad Moltenore was slipping into that rhythm too

In class, Sia found herself noticing Brad more—how people naturally gravitated toward him, the easy way he laughed, the way he made things look effortless,how he carried himself like he owned whatever space he was in.He had a way of moving through the school like it belonged to him

Not that she cared

She wasn't watching him. Not really. But when their eyes met once, he tilted his head slightly, almost amused, before turning back to whatever conversation he was in.

During a free period, she was at her locker when a familiar voice behind her made her pause,

"So, you survived."

She turned. Brad stood there, casually leaning against the lockers beside hers, arms crossed, that smirk in place

"What?" she asked.

"Our tragic first meeting," he said, smirking. "Thought you might be too wounded to recover."

Sia huffed a small laugh. "barely, buh I think I'll live."

He tilted his head. "Tougher than you look, then."

There was something irritatingly smooth about the way he talked.

She rolled her eyes. "Are you done?"

"For now," he said, backing away with a lazy grin. "See you, new girl."

Sia let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.

She didn't realize she was still watching him until Jada appeared beside her.

Jada followed her gaze, then smirked. "You sure there's nothing there?"

Sia frowned. "Nothing where?"

Jada just smirked. "You and Moltenore."

Sia scoffed. "I literally bumped into him yesterday."

"And yet, he's talking to you." Jada questioned

"So...?" Sia scoffs again

Jada gave her a look. "I'm just saying, he doesn't talk to people he doesn't give two fucks about."

Sia rolled her eyes. "It was a conversation. That's it."

"Mhm," Jada said, dragging the word out like she wasn't convinced.

Sia ignored her and shut her locker.

Sia shook her head, But her mind betrayed her—circling back to his smirk, his casual ease.

She pushed the thought away

Lunchtime –

Lunch was familiar now. Same table. Same rhythm. By now, sitting with Jada and Keisha felt normal. The cafeteria was loud, filled with laughter and conversations she wasn't a part of—but at this table, at least, she belonged

Midway through, a shadow passed over the table.

Brad.

He tapped the edge of Sia's tray lightly with two fingers, smirking. "Not running into anyone today, are you?"

Sia glanced up, unimpressed. "Funny."

"Thought so," he said before walking off.

Jada and Keisha exchanged a glance before both turned to Sia at the same time.

"Oh, girl," Jada said. "That boy's interested."

Keisha nodded in agreement. "One hundred percent."

Sia scoffed. "You're both reading into nothing."

Jada raised a brow. "Are we?"

Sia rolled her eyes. "You two need better hobbies."

Jada just smirked. "Maybe."

Sia went back to her food, pretending not to care.

But the truth?

Sia's stomach had done a small, unwelcome flip.

After school -

The parking lot was a mix of voices, car engines, and the screech of sneakers against pavement.

Sia spotted Sophie unlocking the car, but just as she reached her, something made her glance to the side.

Brad.

Leaning against his own car, hands in his pockets, watching the lot like he was bored with all of it.

Then—his gaze landed on her. He didn't move, didn't call her over, just smirked like he knew something she didn't.

"See you around, new girl," he said as she passed.

Sia didn't stop. Didn't respond.

But as she slid into the passenger seat, her heart was still beating just a little too fast. She felt that smirk even when she was already in the car

That night, lying in bed, Sia found herself replaying moments from the day.

Not just Brad—Jada's teasing, Keisha's comment, the way her own stomach had done something weird at lunch.

She wasn't sure what it was.

But something between her and Brad was shifting.

And for the first time since moving here, she wasn't sure how she felt about it.