Chapter 1, His touch on my hand

It was the second day before school Julie's new school starts..the soft chime of the door echoed through the near-empty convenience store as Julie stepped inside. The cool air wrapped around her, a relief from the sun beaming down on her.

With her brother's shopping list pulled up on her phone, she skimmed through the items. Instant ramen, milk, chips…

She walked to the refrigerated section, her fingers grazing the cool glass as she scanned the rows of drinks. Just as she reached for a bottle of peach tea—

Her hand brushed against someone else's

A fleeting touch. Just enough to make her pause.

Julie looked up, and for a split second, the world narrowed to the boy standing in front of her.

He was tall, dark-haired, and effortlessly composed, like he was always in his own world. His gaze met hers—calm, unreadable, yet somehow… lingering.

Neither of them moved.

A second passed. Then another…

Then, he withdrew his hand, slipping it into the pocket of his hoodie. His expression remained neutral, like nothing had happened.

Julie blinked, snapping herself out of it. "Oh—sorry."

He barely reacted. "It's fine." His voice was quiet, steady.

Julie grabbed a different drink instead, hoping to shake off whatever that moment was. But just as she turned, his voice cut through the silence again.

"You like peach tea?"

She glanced back, slightly surprised he was still talking to her.

He had already taken the last bottle and was now holding it loosely by his side. His tone wasn't teasing—just an idle observation, like he was making conversation for no particular reason.

Julie shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe even strawberry."

He gave a small nod, then placed the drink in his basket without another word.

No smug remark. No lingering glances. Just quiet acknowledgment before he walked past her toward the self-checkout.

Julie exhaled, realising she had been holding her breath. Weird.

She shook her head and made her way to the counter, brushing off the encounter as nothing.

She didn't look back.

But he did.

Just for a second.

Long enough to memorise the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The way her gaze lingered on the floor, like she was still thinking about something.

She didn't know.

But he did…

Before she left through the door, she turned back to the guy.

But he was already looking at her.

She quickly turned back and ran out in embarrassment.

.

.

.

On the night before the first day of school—The living room was filled with the sound of shuffling cards, the occasional dramatic sigh, and the triumphant laughter of whoever was winning.

Julie sat cross-legged on the floor, her hands gripping a messy stack of Uno cards. Across from her, Zane leaned back against the couch, one arm lazily draped over his knee as he smirked at her. "You're doomed, Juls."

Julius, sitting beside Julie, chuckled. "I wouldn't be so sure. She's got a habit of pulling last-minute wins."

"Oh Shush! You already won." Zane scowled at Julius,

Julie narrowed her eyes at the cards in her hand. She had nothing. Absolutely nothing. But she wasn't about to let them know that.

"Your turn," Zane taunted.

Julie huffed and slapped a card onto the pile. "There."

Zane barely glanced at it before grinning. "Oh? A blue five? Too bad—Draw Four."

Julie's jaw dropped. "You did not."

"Oh, but I did." Zane placed the card down dramatically. "And the colour is… red."

Julius let out a low whistle. "Damn. Tough luck, Julie."

Julie groaned, grabbing four extra cards from the deck. "This is rigged."

"It's called skill." Zane grinned. "Something you wouldn't understand."

Julius nudged Julie's arm. "Want a more chilling game? Tomorrows the first day of your school."

Julie shook her head. "No. I'm 15, I need redemption."

Zane smirked. "Hah! Your saying like you even know your own class name."

"Of course i do! Wait uhh…" Julie squinted her eyes at the cards in her hands.

"Pfft! Sure you are ready for tomorrow?" Julius chuckled as he peeked at Zane's cards.

"My dear dear cousin Zane…can you pleaseee tell me my class??" Julie pleaded while attempting to peek at his card as she leaned in closer.

Zane pushed her head away with his finger, "Ask your very dear brother." He smirked.

"Your class is 9B, Zane's class is 9A, my class is 10A." Julius sighed.

"Ohh..i knew that! Ahah.." Julie said as she placed a card down in the stack.

As the game continued, laughter and playful banter filled the air. The night stretched on, and for a while, school and all the uncertainties of tomorrow felt like a distant thought.

Tomorrow, a long journey stays ahead of them. Something might go wrong..or something good may happen..maybe something unexpected.

But for now, in the warmth of their home, they were just family.