Monday mornings always felt heavier than they should.
Ariana stood near the kitchen counter, quickly finishing her toast while her mother packed her lunch.
"Don't forget your physics file," her mother reminded.
"I won't," Ariana replied, adjusting her bag strap.
Her father looked up from the newspaper. "Unit test next week?"
"Yes."
"Focus."
She nodded.
School corridors were loud as usual. Students running, laughing, sharing unfinished homework answers.
In class, Lily leaned over. "Did you complete the physics assignment?"
"Obviously."
"Of course you did," Lily muttered dramatically.
During English period, they were asked to form groups for a presentation. Ariana preferred working alone, but Lily pulled her into a group anyway.
"You need social skills," Lily whispered.
"I have social skills."
"You have survival skills."
Ariana rolled her eyes but smiled slightly.
The day passed in normal chaos — notes, small jokes, teachers warning about exams.
After school, she reached home tired but steady.
She changed, helped her mother chop vegetables, and then sat at her desk.
Two hours of uninterrupted study.
Only after finishing did she open the app.
He was online.
She didn't message immediately.
Five minutes later—
UnknownUser: You're late.
She raised an eyebrow.
SilentStar15: I have a life.
UnknownUser: That's surprising.
She almost laughed.
SilentStar15: Very funny.
Pause.
UnknownUser: Long day?
SilentStar15: Group presentation drama.
UnknownUser: You hate group work.
Her fingers paused.
How did he remember that?
She typed slowly.
SilentStar15: I prefer doing things properly.
UnknownUser: That's why you get stressed.
She leaned back in her chair.
SilentStar15: I'm not stressed.
Pause.
UnknownUser: You sound stressed.
She didn't reply immediately.
Instead, she changed the topic.
SilentStar15: What about you?
There was a small delay.
Then—
UnknownUser: Normal day.
She noticed something.
Whenever she asked about him, answers were shorter.
Not cold.
Just careful.
Before the chat could stretch too long, she typed—
SilentStar15: I have to revise.
UnknownUser: Go.
She smiled faintly.
He never stopped her from studying.
Never tried to keep her longer.
That made everything feel… controlled.
And she liked control.
That night, as she lay in bed, she realized something subtle.
He didn't demand attention.
He just noticed when she wasn't there.
And somehow—
That felt different.