Strangers and smirks

Nova!!!

My mom’s voice cut through my sleep like a chainsaw.

I groaned, rolled over, and cracked one eye open. Falling asleep last night had been a war I clearly lost, judging by the daylight seeping into my room.

Nova!! she yelled again.

“I’m up!” I shouted back. “I’m up!”

“Then get ready!” she called. “Your brother’s threatening to leave without you.”

Crap. Arnold never makes empty threats. He’ll leave me faster than background actors running from danger in a bad action movie.

Today was not the day to test my luck—first day at a new school, in a new city. A total reset I never saw coming.

Not like I had a choice. My dad got into some trouble back home—messy stuff no one really talks about. So now, here I was, starting over in a place where I didn’t know a soul. I had to leave all my friends behind… okay, imaginary friends, but still. That had to count for something.

My plan was simple: keep my head down, speak only when necessary, and survive until graduation.

Simple enough, right? Yeah… I could only hope.

I jumped in the shower and was out in record time—sweet. I pulled on a pair of baggy jeans and a round-neck tee, tucking in just enough to give off a casual-not-sloppy vibe. Worked a bit of oil into my curls (bless you, genetics), slipped on my Converse, and made my way downstairs.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” Arnold said as I walked in. “Your Highness, I hope the peasants didn’t disturb your beauty sleep.”

“Hilarious,” I muttered, sliding into the seat beside him.

“How was your night, darling?” my dad asked, biting into a slice of toast.

“Like Mom’s cooking,” I replied. “Dry and hard to swallow.”

A smile tugged at my lips.

“Mom! She’s trashing your cooking!” Arnold yelled, voice way too loud for the hour.

“Can we not do this this early, brother?” I hissed, looking forward to what came next.

He scowled.

“Don’t call me that.”

Score. Nova: 1. Arnold: 0.

“At school, we don’t know each other, okay?” he added, grabbing his keys. “Strangers. That’s what we are.”

“Deal,” I said, shaking his hand. I had nothing to lose.

“You’ve got five minutes. Either meet me outside or you’re walking.”

I turned to Mom with a dramatic sigh.

“Is he even allowed to do that?”

She smiled and handed me a paper bag.

“Toast and a smoothie. Eat in the car.”

“Thanks, Mom!” I said, snatching the bag and racing out.

“Let’s go, brother!” I chirped as I slid into his car.

We drove in silence. I managed to finish my breakfast just as we pulled up in front of the school.

Yay. So excited. (Ignore the sarcasm.)

“Have a good first day… or don’t,” Arnold said like it physically hurt him to be nice.

“Wow. That almost sounded human,” I teased, stepping out.

“Just get out before anyone sees us together!”

Classic.

The school looked normal enough. Quiet, though—maybe we were early. Thanks, Arnold.

I found the office and picked up my schedule. First period: English.

Let’s get it.

The secretary was kind enough to give me directions, and if not for her, I probably would’ve gotten lost. So when I finally saw the bold ENGLISH sign hanging above a door, I practically high-fived myself.

You made it, Nova.

I was just about to head toward the classroom when I froze.

Right outside the door, a guy and a girl were practically glued together—full-on making out like it was their last day on Earth. Zero shame.

In front of the classroom? Seriously?

Was this a thing here? Casual hallway make-outs before first period?

If so… I was in way over my head.

I glanced around, expecting to see other students reacting, but nope. Empty hallway.

Of course.

I stood there, stuck between reversing out like a car or blending into the wall and hoping I turned invisible. Now was not the time to unlock new superpowers, Nova.

Think.

Maybe if I stayed really still, they’d disappear? Worth a shot.

Too late.

He looked up—and locked eyes with me.

A slow smile spread across his face, like he expected me to be standing there watching them like I was an extra in some teen drama.

Creepy. But bold.

Creepily bold.

I quickly looked away, heat crawling up my neck. He whispered something to the girl, and she pulled away from him like she hadn’t just been attached to his face for a solid five minutes.

I was silently thanking the universe when—of course—he started walking toward me.

No hesitation. No shame.

My every cell screamed, run, Nova, run!

But I just stood there, rooted to the spot like an idiot.

He stopped right in front of me, smirk still glued to his face, eyes way too clear for someone who’d just committed a full PDA felony.

He tilted his head like I was some kind of puzzle piece he didn’t quite get.

Then—he grabbed my waist.

I flinched like I’d been set on fire.

Nope. Nope nope nope. Not okay.

Every part of my brain screamed about stranger danger, personal space, pepper spray—but my mouth?

Frozen.

And then, still smirking, he leaned in just slightly and said:

“Care to join?”

The audacity.

The nerve.

Was this a prank? Was I being punk’d? Was there a hidden camera?

Because I honestly didn’t know whether I should slap him or just laugh at the absolute ridiculousness of it all.

Those words. That face.

It wasn’t just what he said—it was the way he said it.

Irritating. Infuriating.

And finally---finally—I found my voice.

What took it so goddamn long?