The morning sun spilled through the large windows of the prestigious academy, illuminating the polished wooden floors and grand halls filled with excited chatter. It was a typical day, but an air of anticipation hung over the students as they awaited the arrival of a new student. Catherine sat in her usual spot at the long table in the dining hall, surrounded by her friends, yet her mind was elsewhere.

“Did you hear about the new girl?” one of her friends, Eliza, said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “They say she’s already made quite an impression!”

“Yeah, I heard she’s from the city,” another girl chimed in, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Apparently, she’s really charming!”

As the buzz of conversation filled the air, Catherine felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. She glanced over at Victor, who was animatedly discussing the upcoming debate competition with a group of boys, his hands gesturing excitedly. The way his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm sent a pang of longing through her, a reminder of the closeness they once shared.

“Catherine!” Eliza’s voice pulled her back to the present. “Are you even listening?”

“Sorry,” Catherine mumbled, forcing a smile. “I was just thinking…”

“About Victor?” Eliza teased, elbowing her lightly.

“No!” Catherine replied, her cheeks heating up. “I mean… maybe a little?”

Just then, the door swung open, and a figure stepped into the dining hall, instantly drawing the attention of every student in the room. Alice, with her radiant smile and warm demeanor, seemed to light up the space around her. Her long, dark hair framed her face perfectly, and she wore a bright sundress that swayed with her every movement.

“Is that her?” Catherine whispered, her heart racing.

“Yup! That’s Alice!” Eliza whispered back, her eyes glued to the newcomer.

Victor turned at the sound of the chatter, his expression shifting from curiosity to delight. Catherine watched as Alice approached, a warm smile on her face that instantly drew in the crowd.

“Hi everyone! I’m Alice!” she said, her voice sweet and melodic. “I just moved here, and I’m really excited to meet all of you!”

“Welcome!” Victor exclaimed, his smile wide. “I’m Victor. If you need anything, just let me know!”

Catherine felt a sharp sting of jealousy as Alice laughed at something Victor said, her laughter bright and contagious. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of insecurity wash over her. Why did Alice have to be so effortlessly charming?

As the morning continued, Alice seamlessly blended into the group, her energy infectious. She moved from table to table, engaging everyone in conversation, and Catherine felt a knot tighten in her stomach with every passing moment.

“Catherine, come on! You should go talk to her!” Eliza urged, nudging her gently. “She seems so nice! You’ll love her!”

“Yeah, maybe,” Catherine replied, biting her lip. But the thought of approaching Alice felt daunting, especially when Victor was so enthralled by her presence.

Finally, as Alice made her way back to their table, Catherine gathered her courage. “Um, hi, Alice,” she managed, forcing a smile that felt shaky.

“Hey! You must be Catherine! I’ve heard so much about you!” Alice’s eyes sparkled with genuine interest.

“Really?” Catherine asked, surprised.

“Of course! Victor talks about you all the time. He says you’re brilliant at art!” Alice beamed, her words wrapping around Catherine like a warm hug.

Catherine’s heart fluttered momentarily at the compliment, but the warmth faded when she noticed how Alice’s gaze drifted toward Victor, who was chatting with a group of boys nearby. “I can’t wait to see your artwork! Maybe you could show me sometime?” Alice continued, her tone inviting.

“Sure,” Catherine said, forcing her voice to remain steady. “That would be nice.”

But even as she spoke, she felt a dull ache in her heart. The way Alice effortlessly drew Victor’s attention made Catherine acutely aware of her own insecurities. What if he liked Alice more than her? What if Alice was everything she wasn’t—confident, charming, and charismatic?

As the day progressed, Catherine tried to shake off her doubts. She joined Alice and Victor during lunch, trying to engage in conversation, but found herself silently observing how easily Alice fit into their dynamic. The laughter seemed to flow effortlessly between them, while Catherine felt like an outsider, desperately clinging to the fringes.

“Victor, do you remember that time we climbed the old oak tree in the garden?” Alice asked, her eyes shining with excitement. “I heard about it from Catherine, and it sounded like such a fun adventure!”

Victor laughed, a bright sound that made Catherine’s heart sink. “Yeah! That was an epic day. Catherine was so scared she would fall!”

“I was not scared!” Catherine protested, her cheeks flushing. “I was just being careful!”

Alice giggled, and for a moment, Catherine felt her heart crack. “I think you were smart, really. I wouldn’t want to fall from there either,” Alice said sweetly.

Victor grinned, and Catherine could see the admiration in his eyes as he looked at Alice. It twisted something deep within her, making her feel smaller, less significant.

As they moved through the school day, Alice continued to shine. The way she spoke, the laughter that bubbled effortlessly from her lips—it all made Catherine feel like she was losing Victor to someone who could dazzle him in ways she felt she couldn’t.

Later that afternoon, Catherine found herself wandering through the secret garden, seeking solace among the flowers that had once brought her so much joy. The petals were vibrant, colors bursting in a riot of reds, yellows, and blues, but they did little to lift her spirits.

“Why do I feel like this?” she murmured to herself, kneeling by a cluster of daisies. “I should be happy for Alice. She’s nice. But…”

A soft rustle interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see Victor entering the garden, his face lighting up as he caught sight of her. “Catherine! There you are! I’ve been looking for you.”

“Hey,” she said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Are you okay?” He stepped closer, concern etching itself on his features.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking,” she replied, brushing off her earlier feelings.

Victor’s brow furrowed slightly. “You sure? You’ve seemed a bit off today.”

Catherine shrugged, her heart racing. “I guess I’m just not used to new people, that’s all.”

“Right.” He looked thoughtful, as if weighing his next words. “Alice is pretty great, isn’t she? I mean, she really knows how to get everyone laughing!”

Catherine felt a small pang again but nodded, trying to appear supportive. “Yeah, she’s… charming.”

Victor grinned, completely missing the note of tension in her voice. “I’m glad you think so! It’ll be fun to have her around. You should hang out with us more.”

“Of course,” Catherine replied, forcing her voice to remain steady. “I’d love to.”

As Victor chatted about the day, Catherine couldn’t help but feel the growing distance between them. The warmth they once shared now felt fragile, like a delicate thread slowly unraveling. She knew she had to be strong, but the weight of insecurity pressed down on her, and she couldn’t shake the fear that she might lose him to someone like Alice—someone who seemed to effortlessly capture his attention.

As they left the garden together, Catherine felt a mix of hope and apprehension in her heart. She didn’t want to compete for Victor’s affection; she simply wanted to be his friend again. But with Alice’s presence, everything felt uncertain, and she couldn’t help but wonder how much longer she could hold on to the bond they once shared.

The warmth of the sun began to fade, and with it, Catherine felt the shadows of doubt creep in, reminding her that life was changing—and with change came the possibility of losing what mattered most.