The last bell rang, and the classroom instantly filled with noise.
Chairs scraped the floor. Bags zipped. Someone laughed loudly near the window.
Ariana stayed seated for a few seconds, finishing the last line of her chemistry notes before closing her notebook carefully.
"Library?" Lily asked, swinging her bag over her shoulder.
"For half an hour," Ariana replied.
They walked together, sunlight warm against the corridor walls. A group of boys were discussing an upcoming football match. Someone almost bumped into Ariana, muttered a quick "sorry," and rushed ahead.
Life at school felt normal again.
No whispers.
No teasing.
Just regular chaos.
In the library, Ariana focused on solving math problems. She underlined formulas neatly, double-checking each step.
Her phone vibrated inside her bag.
She didn't check.
Not here.
Not now.
She had promised herself something — real life first.
After reaching home, she helped her mother set the table.
"How was school?"
"Good. We have a surprise test tomorrow."
"Then revise after dinner," her mother said gently.
Upstairs in her room, she studied for nearly two hours before finally allowing herself to look at her phone.
One message.
UnknownUser: You disappeared early today.
She typed calmly.
SilentStar15: Library.
Pause.
UnknownUser: Of course.
She raised an eyebrow.
SilentStar15: What does that mean?
UnknownUser: You go there when you're stressed.
She stared at the screen.
Did she tell him that once?
Maybe.
SilentStar15: Stop remembering unnecessary things.
UnknownUser: They're not unnecessary.
Her fingers paused slightly.
Before the conversation could stretch—
SilentStar15: Test tomorrow. So I won't talk long.
UnknownUser: Good.
She smiled faintly.
He didn't try to keep her online.
That made it easier.
And somehow… more dangerous.
Because she didn't feel pressured.
She felt respected.