Elena walked through the main gate with Matteo, both of them carrying their bags and holding some books. The morning was bright, students were moving across the courtyard, some chatting, some rushing because they were late. Matteo checked the time on his phone and sighed.
"We're early," he said.
"That's good. At least we won't have to run," Elena replied.
They walked toward the main building. Just before they reached the stairs, a voice called from somewhere behind Elena.
"Elena!"
She turned quickly. A girl with straight black hair tied in a low ponytail was waving and walking fast toward her. Elena's face brightened.
"Lian!" she said and jogged the last few steps.
They hugged immediately, a tight one, like they hadn't seen each other in months even though it had only been a week since break ended. Lian Chen had been studying in the country for almost two years, and she and Elena had grown close from the start.
"You didn't tell me you arrived already," Lian said, still holding Elena's shoulders.
"I texted you yesterday," Elena said.
"I slept early. Jet lag," Lian said. She looked at Matteo briefly. "Hi, Matteo."
"Morning," Matteo answered with a small nod.
Lian looked back at Elena. "Come. I need to talk to you." She took Elena's wrist gently and pulled her away from Matteo. "We'll see you later," she said to him.
Matteo didn't mind. He only lifted his hand in a small wave and continued walking inside.
Once they were a few steps away, Lian faced Elena fully.
"So," Lian started. "Are you two dating yet?"
Elena blinked at her. "What? What are you talking about?"
Lian gave her a look like Elena was hiding something. "Don't act surprised. You two always walk together. You go home together. You live in the same apartment. And don't forget how he looks at you."
Elena frowned. "Looks at me how?"
"I've seen it," Lian said. "Everyone has. He watches you like you are the only thing that matter to him."
Elena shook her head immediately. "That's because we grew up together. He's protective. Like a brother."
Lian sighed. "No. No brother looks at his sister like that. Not the way Matteo looks at you."
Elena crossed her arms. "He doesn't look at me in any strange way. You're imagining it."
"I'm not." Lian leaned closer. "Maybe he's shy. Maybe he's waiting for you to say something first."
"Say something like what?"
"A confession," Lian said plainly.
Elena stared at her. "You're crazy."
"I'm not," Lian said again. "You should tell him how you feel."
"I don't feel anything like that," Elena said quickly. She never wanted to admit it, if there was anything she hated.... it was rejection.
Lian only raised an eyebrow. She didn't look convinced at all. "Even if you don't, he does. I'm sure of it."
Elena opened her mouth to argue but Lian kept talking.
"You live in the same apartment, Elena. It makes everything easier. If you confess and he likes you back, great. If he doesn't, nothing changes. He's not going to throw you away. He's Matteo."
Elena sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I don't know where you're getting all this."
"From watching you two," Lian said. "I see things. I pay attention."
They were still talking when the bell rang.
"Great. We're going to be late," Elena said.
They hurried inside the building and climbed the stairs. Their classroom was at the end of the hall. Students were already entering. Elena found her usual seat near the middle row, and Lian sat beside her.
A minute later Matteo walked in with a few of their classmates. He scanned the room quickly, found his seat a row ahead of Elena, and sat down. He looked back once as if checking if Elena arrived safely. She pretended not to notice.
Lian leaned toward her immediately. "See? I told you. He checked for you."
Elena ignored her. The teacher entered, carrying a small pile of papers. The class room became quiet.
"Good morning, everyone," the teacher said. "Before we begin, we have a new student joining us today."
The door opened again and a girl walked in.
The class grew silent in a different way, curious and alert. The girl was tall, with long light brown hair that reached past her shoulders. Her dress fit neatly, and she carried herself with calmness. She kept her eyes forward but didn't look nervous.
"This is Adriana Volkov" the teacher said. "She transferred from another city. Please make her feel welcome."
Adriana nodded politely. "Good morning."
"You may take any free seat," the teacher said.
There was a free seat beside Matteo.
Lian nudged Elena quickly. "This will be interesting."
Adriana walked toward the empty chair. Matteo looked up the moment she moved in his direction. His posture changed without him noticing. He sat straighter, his eyes following her without hesitation. When she reached his row and stopped beside the seat, he shifted slightly to give her space.
She sat down smoothly. "Hi," Adriana said in a low voice.
Matteo replied almost too fast. "Hi."
Elena watched this quietly. She didn't react, but she did notice how Matteo kept glancing at the new girl even after she looked away. It was different from how he usually behaved. Normally, he only paid attention to his notes or to Elena when she asked something. But now his focus was somewhere else.
Lian, of course, didn't miss a thing. She leaned closer to Elena and whispered, "Is he seriously staring?"
"Stop," Elena whispered back.
The teacher began the lesson, writing instructions on the board. Pens and notebooks came out. Some students whispered softly to each other. But Matteo kept glancing sideways like he was trying not to be obvious but failing.
Adriana seemed unaware. She kept her eyes on her notebook, copying what was written on the board. Her handwriting looked neat even from a distance. She didn't check her phone or talk to anyone else. She looked like someone used to sitting alone.
Elena forced herself to focus on the class, but her attention kept drifting toward the front. Every time she looked up, she caught Matteo glancing at Adriana. She didn't know if she felt anything about it. Maybe surprise or perhaps confusion.
Thirty minutes passed. The teacher asked a question. No one raised their hand. Adriana did. Her answer was simple and correct. The teacher nodded with approval.
Matteo looked impressed. Lian noticed again. "Oh wow," she whispered.
"Can you stop commentating everything?" Elena whispered back.
"I can't. This is too obvious," Lian replied.
The class continued. At some point, Adriana dropped her pen. It rolled and hit Matteo's shoe. Both of them reached down at the same time. Their hands almost touched, Adriana smiled a little when she got the pen back.
"Thanks," she said.
Matteo smiled back. "No problem."
Lian gave Elena a long look but Elena ignored it again.
When the bell rang for break, students stood up, talking and walking out of the class. Adriana packed her things neatly before standing.
Matteo immediately turned to her. "Do you need help finding the cafeteria?"
Adriana paused. "If it's not a bother."
"It's not," he said quickly.
Lian raised her eyebrows at Elena. Elena still didn't react.
Matteo stood, waited for Adriana to join him, then walked out with her. They didn't talk much, but it was obvious he was paying attention to everything she said.
Lian faced Elena fully once they were alone.
"So?" Lian asked.
"So what?" Elena said tucking her hair behind her ear
"You saw that."
"I did."
"And?"
"And nothing," Elena replied, grabbing her bag.
"Elena," Lian said, sounding almost frustrated. "You can't tell me you didn't see the way he acted."
"He just met her," Elena said.
"Exactly."
Elena didn't respond, Lian crossed her arms. "You don't have to confess anything if you don't want to. But don't pretend nothing is happening."
"I'm not pretending," Elena said calmly. "He can talk to whoever he wants."
Lian looked at her for a long moment. "You don't feel anything about it?"
Elena didn't answer immediately. She stared at her desk instead, tapping her finger lightly.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly.
"That means you do," Lian said.
Elena shook her head. "I don't know what I feel and I'm not sure it matters."
"That's normal," Lian said. "Just… be honest with yourself."
Elena finally looked up. "We grew up together. That's all."
"People fall for the person they grow up with all the time," Lian said.
Elena looked away. "We should go."
They gathered their things and left the room, as they walked down the hallway, Elena couldn't help thinking about the way Matteo looked at the new girl. She didn't feel angry or jealous. But she felt something—something that made her chest feel tight, something that made her thoughts crowded.
Lian walked beside her quietly, watching her without pushing further.