CHAPTER 1: The Window Seat
It was the first day of school after a long break. The sky was soft and cloudy—just the kind of morning Luna loved. She stepped through the school gate with quiet excitement in her chest. Her bag felt lighter than usual, and so did her heart.
She came early.
Earlier than she had ever come before.
Because she wanted her favorite spot.
First row, fifth seat.
The one right next to the window.
That seat wasn't just a seat for Luna.
It was her escape.
Whenever the class got too loud…
Whenever life got too much…
She could simply turn her face, look outside, and breathe.
Clouds, trees, the soft wind…
They understood her better than people ever could.
As she pushed open the classroom door, a tiny smile curved on her lips. Empty benches waited quietly in the morning light.
But then… her smile paused.
Someone was already inside.
Third row, sixth seat. Near the other window.
Headphones in.
Sketchbook open.
Hair messy, but in a good way.
It was Raffy.
The boy who topped every exam.
The one who could sing, draw, cook, win every sports event and probably still have time to solve math for fun.
Of course he's here early, Luna thought, rolling her eyes a little. Maybe revising Chapter 1 while also saving the world.
She slowly walked to her seat—first row, fifth desk. Her hand gently touched the wooden surface like it was home.
But somewhere behind her…
She could feel eyes. Just for a second.
---
Raffy's POV:
I didn't come early for class.
I came early… for her.
I've seen her sit here so many times.
Always by the window.
Always looking outside like she was talking to the clouds.
I don't know when I started noticing.
But now I can't stop.
So today, I sat here early. Just to watch her enter.
Just to see her in her favorite seat.
And maybe… to draw her again.
Yup. I said again.
Because I've drawn her before.
More than once.
Right now, I'm pretending to revise. But actually?
I'm halfway done drawing her from memory.
Hair flying a little from the breeze.
Eyes half-lost in thought.
Pen tapping gently on her book.
It's silly, I know.
But this sketchbook knows the truth.
---
Luna tried to open her Science textbook. Tried to act normal. But her brain wasn't cooperating. Why did he have to look so serious? So focused? Like he was already solving physics for college.
Before her thoughts could go deeper, the door flew open again—
"OH MY GODDDD I'M NOT LATE!!!"
Zia.
Her benchmate. Her personal radio. Her chaos queen.
Zia stormed into the room like she owned it, tripped over her own bag strap, almost fell into Luna's lap, then flopped dramatically onto her seat.
"I had a dream our teacher turned into a lizard and ate my math notebook," she said.
Luna burst out laughing. "Honestly, that explains your grades."
"Oh, and look," Zia whispered, lowering her voice and raising her eyebrows, "Sir Raffy is in the building."
"Stopppp," Luna giggled. "He's just—studying."
"Studying? Girl, he's drawing again. Look at his pencil strokes. That's not notes—that's sketching for love."
Luna went red. "Shut up! He doesn't even know I exist."
Behind them, Raffy tried not to smile.
Oh Luna, he thought, you have no idea.
---
Classroom Fills Up:
More classmates entered, shouting their way through stories and excuses. Someone had already spilled water on the floor. Another was begging for a pen. The classroom was alive again—noisy, messy, real.
But Luna?
She was somewhere between laughter and stillness.
Because even in the noise…
Her world stayed by the window.
---
THUD.
The classroom door slammed shut.
"Good morning, class."
Their new teacher had arrived—strict face, neat shirt, and eyes that scanned every soul like a detective from a crime show.
"Settle down. No drama. New year, new notebooks."
Zia whispered, "New teacher, new trouble."
Luna chuckled, hiding her smile behind her hand.
---
Soft Ending...
Outside the window, the trees danced softly in the wind.
Luna tapped her pen gently against her notebook.
Behind her, Raffy sat still—
Sketchbook now safely tucked inside his bag.
But his thoughts were still drawing her.
Two toppers.
Two windows.
One soft beginning.
And neither of them knew it yet…
But everything had just begun. 🌸🌹
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