The holidays were over and I was really excited to see samaira again.

I stood off to the side, the cold stone wall pressing against my back as I waited, the small box of sweets crinkling faintly in my hands. Students streamed past, their chatter and laughter echoing down the corridor, but my focus stayed fixed on the spot where I knew she'd appear.

It wasn't long before Samaira came into view, walking a step or two behind her friends. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, her arms clutched tightly around her books. I frowned. She wasn't her usual self—her steps were slower, her face pale, and dark circles hung beneath her eyes like shadows she couldn't shake. Her friends spoke animatedly, but Samaira stayed silent, nodding once or twice without any real energy.

Something about it tugged at me, the knot in my chest tightening. She'd smiled at me just a week ago—soft and surprised—when I'd managed to stammer through what could only kind of be called asking her out. But now she looked... tired. Defeated, almost.

I pushed away from the wall before I could second-guess myself, moving toward her. "Samaira," I said, keeping my voice steady—gentle enough not to startle her but loud enough to carry over the noise.

She stopped walking, blinking at me in mild surprise, her friends following suit. I could feel their curious stares, the subtle tilt of their heads as if trying to figure out why I'd pulled her aside. I shifted my weight awkwardly, clearing my throat.

"Could I—uh, could I talk to you for a moment?" I asked, my eyes fixed only on her. One of her friends raised an eyebrow, muttering something I didn't catch, but Samaira shook her head faintly, already dismissing them.

"Go on without me," she said quietly. The group hesitated for half a beat longer before drifting away, casting a few lingering looks over their shoulders.

Now it was just the two of us, the noise of the corridor fading slightly into the background. She turned to me, her books still tucked protectively against her. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice polite but soft, like it cost her energy just to speak.

I shook my head quickly. "No—well, not exactly." I shifted the box in my hands and held it out toward her. "I just... I wanted to give you this."

She looked at the box, then back at me, blinking in surprise. "What is it?"

"Sweets," I said, my voice faltering slightly. "I bought them yesterday. Thought you might like them. I didn't want to send anything by owl because... well, it didn't seem right since we don't really... know each other that well yet."

I felt ridiculous as soon as the words left my mouth, heat creeping up the back of my neck. But when I glanced at her again, she was smiling—just barely, but it was there. A quiet, genuine curve of her lips that made something in my chest relax.

"For me?" she asked softly, her voice lighter than before.

I nodded, forcing my hands into my pockets as she took the box from me, her fingers brushing mine for the briefest moment. It was enough to make my heart give an embarrassing lurch.

"Thank you," she murmured, her eyes on the box as though it were something far more special than it was. Then she glanced back at me, and the smile softened a little more. "That's really thoughtful of you."

I cleared my throat, trying to ignore how fast my pulse was hammering. "You... you look tired," I said quietly, my concern slipping out before I could stop it. "Are you okay?"

Her smile faltered, just slightly, her gaze dropping for a moment. "I'm fine. Just didn't sleep much last night," she replied, her tone light but unconvincing.

I frowned, hesitating before speaking again. "Well... try some of the sweets later. They might help, you know? Something sweet always does."

Her gaze lifted, and for a second, the tiredness in her eyes didn't seem so heavy. "I will. Promise."

The faintest hint of warmth flickered in her expression, and I nodded, stepping back slightly to give her space. "I'll, uh... see you in class, then?"

She nodded, tucking the box against her books as she turned toward the classroom door. I fell into step beside her, keeping quiet. She didn't say much either, but somehow, walking next to her—her fingers still curled around that little box—felt like enough.

I glanced at Samaira, her small smile fading into that same quiet, distant look she'd worn all morning. It wasn't like her. Should I give her company?

"So," I said, trying to sound casual, "are you... heading to lunch after this?"

She blinked, as though she'd only just realized I was still there. "Lunch?" she echoed softly, then nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I suppose."

Something about the way she said it, so hesitant and distant, made me frown. This wasn't the Samaira I knew—the one with sharp comebacks and an effortless spark in her eyes. "I'll walk you to the Great Hall, then," I offered, my voice gentler this time.

She hesitated, as though weighing her options, before nodding. "Alright."

The two of us fell into step together, moving through the corridors. It was quieter now as students trickled into the Great Hall, the sound of clinking plates and laughter growing louder as we approached. I stole a glance at her now and then, searching for some hint of what was wrong, but Samaira kept her gaze ahead, her expression carefully neutral.

We were almost at the entrance when a familiar voice stopped us.

"Well, look who it is."

Aarav.

He stood just outside the Great Hall, his arms crossed over his chest and a smug look plastered across his face.  Aarav had a way of getting under people's skin, and mine was no exception. I shifted closer to Samaira, instinctively bracing myself for whatever he was about to say.

"Samaira," Aarav said smoothly, ignoring me entirely as he turned his gaze to her. "Come with me. We need to talk."

Samaira stopped abruptly, her entire posture stiffening. For a second, she looked like the old her—the one who would have rolled her eyes and fired off a sharp remark without hesitation. But that second passed, and instead of snapping at Aarav, she glanced up at me.

It was the look that caught me off guard—a fleeting glance, soft and almost... apologetic. As though she was sorry for something she couldn't even explain. I frowned, confusion churning in my chest.

"Samaira?" I said, quietly, as if that might pull her back.

But she didn't answer. Slowly, she turned toward Aarav, her shoulders slightly hunched, the box of sweets still clutched in her hands. Without another word, she followed him, her steps quiet and resigned.

I stared after them, my jaw tightening. That wasn't right. The Samaira I knew would have flipped Aarav off without a second thought, told him to take his attitude and shove it somewhere the sun didn't shine. But this Samaira—this quiet, subdued version—simply followed him without argument.

Aarav, of course, threw a glance back at me before disappearing into the hallway, a victorious smirk tugging at his lips. It took every bit of restraint not to react.

What the hell was going on?

I stood frozen at the entrance of the Great Hall, students moving past me in waves, my mind racing. Whatever this was—whatever had drained the fire out of Samaira—it had something to do with him. 

And I wasn't going to let it slide.

a/n: i changed the way of writing this story. im solely writing to read this later🥸