Strangers and smirks

“Nova!!!”

I was woken up by the sound of my mom yelling my name. Ughhh. I rolled over in bed and finally opened my eyes. Falling asleep last night was like fighting a war—one I plainly lost. I just couldn't sleep, and now that I finally did, I got woken up after what felt like two minutes.

“Nova!” Again.

“I'm up, Mom!” I yelled back. “I'm up!”

“Well, get ready for school, damn it! Your brother’s threatening to leave you already.”

Oh shit. Arnold doesn’t make threats. That guy would leave me faster than a mom dumping her kid on an orphanage’s doorstep—no regrets, no turning back. And I was not about to be late on my first day at school in a new city.

Yeah, you heard me. We moved.

Much to my dislike. But I didn’t really get a vote. My dad... well, let’s just say he got into a mess with some people in our old compound. As dumb as it sounds, it got so bad we had to move. My mom couldn’t take the judgmental looks anymore.

So yeah—new school, new house, new city... and I left all my friends behind.

Imaginary ones. But hey, they still count.

Luckily, it was the beginning of a new semester, so I wouldn’t stand out too much. I just had to do what I always do: stay out of people’s business, breathe quietly (not too loud though), and count the days until graduation.

I got up and hit the shower. Ten minutes flat—a personal record. I looked in the mirror: curly hair, amber eyes. Honestly? Not bad. I threw on baggy jeans, a round-neck tee, tucked it in a little for that subtle baddie vibe, then slid into my Converse. A bit of oil for my curls—thank you, genetics—and done.

I stared at my reflection one more time. Decent. Chill. Lowkey cute.

Downstairs, my entrance was met with a familiar drawl.

“Oh look who finally decided to grace us with her presence. Your highness, hope you slept well?” Arnold said, dripping with sarcasm.

“Very funny, Arnold. Very funny,” I muttered, sliding into a chair at the table.

“How was your night, darling?” my dad asked as he bit into a piece of toast.

“As good as Mom’s baking skills,” I said, stifling a laugh.

“Mom!” Arnold called out. “Your favorite daughter’s talking trash about your cooking!”

“Would it kill you to keep your mouth shut?” I hissed. “Ugh Brother. Ewww gross. Don’t call me that.”

“Remember—in school, we’re not related. You don’t know me, I don’t know you. Deal?” he asked.

“Deal.” I had nothing to lose here.

“That’s not how siblings should behave,” Mom said, walking in from the kitchen.

“As long as we’re fine with it, it’s all good, Mum,” Arnold replied, standing up. “Grab your things, stranger. We gotta go.”

“But I haven’t eaten yet,” I whined.

“Not my problem. You’re just a stranger carpooling with me. Outside in five—or you're walking.”

And just like that, he was gone.

I turned to Mom. “Is he allowed to do that to me?”

“Well... technically, he’s not,” my dad said with a laugh.

I gave him a look.

Mom handed me a paper bag. “Toast and a smoothie. Eat in the car.”

“You’re the best, Mum,” I said, snatching it up and running outside.

“Let’s go, brother,” I sang as I hopped into the car.

He made a face.He hated that. I grinned in victory.

I ate in silence while he drove. Before I knew it, we were pulling up in front of the school.

“Have a good first day of school, Nova... or not,” he mumbled like it physically hurt to be nice.

I laughed. “Your attempts at kindness are so painful.”

“Now get out of my car before anyone sees us together!”

I stepped out, still chuckling. The school seemed quieter than I expected. Or maybe we were just early. I made my way to the office and got my class schedule. First up: English. Yay.

The secretary kindly gave me directions to the room—God bless her. I followed her instructions and found the door with ENGLISH written at the top. Score!

“Great job, Nova,” I whispered to myself.

But just as I was about to walk in, I stopped.

What the hell...

In front of the door was a guy and a girl—full-on making out. Like, shamelessly. Just there, like it was their living room.

I glanced around to see if anyone else was witnessing this madness.

Nope. Hallway empty.

Seriously?

I just stood there, frozen, unsure whether to move or wait it out. And then... his eyes met mine.

He pulled away from her slowly, a smug smile forming on his face.

And then he started walking toward me.

What. Did. He. Want?

I just wanted to get to class, not... whatever this was.

Without warning, he grabbed my waist. Excuse me?!

“Care to join?” he asked, voice dripping with cockiness.

Who the hell was this dude?