Clara woke up early in the morning to get ready for school. [yawns] "What time is it?" Clara looked at her phone's clock on the table, which showed 5 AM.

Clara woke up from her bed and went straight to the bathroom to shower and get ready for school.

Then Clara got ready and put on her uniform. "Mom I'm ready!" she said.

"Come here for breakfast!" her mom said. "Okay mom!" said Clara.

Clara grabbed her school bag and walked out of her room to the kitchen to have breakfast with her mom. Her mom had prepared dumplings on the table.

"Dumpling...." said Clara. "Yeah, why?" her mom asked.

"I love it mom, thank you! Btw where's papa?" said Clara. Clara looked to her right and left.

"Dad already went to work, before 6 this morning...." said her mom. "Oh…too early" Clara said.

"Like usually...." her mom said.

Clara sat at the dining table and had breakfast with her mom. After a few minutes, she looked at her watch, which showed 6:30.

"Mom, I'm going now, goodbye," said Clara.

"Goodbye and take care dear" said her mom.

Clara walked out of the house and walked to her school, which was 1 km away.

Clara gazed at the mountain. "The morning atmosphere is so beautiful," she thought to herself.

Clara continued walking towards her school, picking up her pace to avoid being late. "Don't be late Clara."she thought to herself.

After a few minutes, Clara arrived at her school.

She walking towards her class and her friend greeted her warmly, "Hi Clara, long time no see...after a month of holiday" said Sarah, her best friend.

"Hi Sarah, yeah long time no see..." said Clara. Clara walked over next to her best friend, Sarah.

They continue talking then Sarah go to her classroom.

BAAM!!!

"Ouch" Clara fell with her book scattered on the ground.

"ouh, are you okay?" the boy who standing in front her reaching his hand down to help her.

Clara took his hand and get up from the ground.

"Uhm I'm okay, thank you" said Clara with her embarrassing expression.

"No problem..." said the boy.

Clara dusted herself off, her cheeks burning with a rosy hue that had nothing to do with the fall. She glanced at the boy, who was now looking down at his shoes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm really clumsy," she mumbled, feeling a wave of self-consciousness wash over her.

"Don't worry about it," he said, his voice a gentle melody that seemed to soothe her embarrassment. "It happens to the best of us." He paused, then added, "I'm Ken, by the way."

Clara, still slightly flustered, managed a shy smile. "Clara."

Ken's smile widened. "Nice to meet you, Clara. Say, are you okay? You seem a little shaken up."

Clara, realizing she was still holding her breath, let out a shaky sigh. "I'm fine, really. Just a little surprised." She glanced at the books scattered around them, a silent testament to her clumsiness.

Clara, realizing she was still holding her breath, let out a shaky sigh. "I'm fine, really. Just a little surprised." She glanced at the books scattered around them, a silent testament to her clumsiness.

Ken chuckled, a warm sound that seemed to chase away the last vestiges of Clara's embarrassment. "Well, I'm glad you're alright," he said, bending down to gather the scattered books. "I'm sure these books are more than a little surprised too." He held out a stack of well-worn paperbacks, their spines creased from years of being loved. "Here you go," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Clara took the books, her fingers brushing against his as she reached for them. A jolt of electricity shot through her, and she quickly pulled her hand back, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. "Thank you," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

"Alright, I'm going to class now," he said, walking away, leaving you alone.

"Uhm, why do I feel different?" Clara thought to herself.

The hallway, once a familiar passageway, now felt charged with a strange energy. She could almost hear the whispers of her own heart, a frantic rhythm that mirrored the fluttering in her stomach. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. This wasn't like her. She was usually the calm, collected one, the one who kept her emotions in check. But right now, she felt like a runaway train, careening out of control.

"It's just a little shock," she muttered to herself, trying to convince herself. "It's nothing."

She turned and walked towards her classroom, carrying her bag on her shoulder. But even as she walked, the warmth of Ken's touch remained, a phantom sensation that refused to disappear. And the question lingered, a persistent whisper in her mind: Why do I feel different?

She walked towards her classroom and found her usual seat, the one near the window, and dropped into it. She placed her bag underneath the desk.

[The school begin]

...----------------...

[school ends at 6.30PM]

She left her classroom. As she made her way down the hallway, she saw Sarah, her best friend, waiting by their usual meeting spot near the school gates. Sarah waved, a bright smile on her face

.

"Ready for some Family Mart goodness?" Sarah asked, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I'm craving those onigiri!"

Clara smiled, her heart warming at the thought of her friend's infectious enthusiasm. "Absolutely," she replied. "I'm starving!"

The two girls walked out of the school gates, the air filled with the sounds of the bustling city.

They reached the Family Mart, a small convenience store just a few blocks from the school. The aroma of freshly baked goods and steaming ramen filled the air, a symphony of deliciousness that made their stomachs rumble.

"What are you getting?" Sarah asked, her eyes scanning the shelves.

Clara shrugged. "I'm not sure yet," she said. "Maybe some onigiri and a green tea latte?"

"Sounds good to me!" Sarah said, grabbing a basket. "Let's get some snacks and then we can find a spot to eat."

The two girls wandered through the aisles, filling their baskets with their favorite treats. Clara couldn't help but smile as she watched Sarah's face light up with delight as she picked out her favorite snacks.

They found a small table outside the store and settled down to enjoy their feast. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, and the city lights were starting to twinkle in the distance. It was a perfect evening, a moment of pure joy and contentment.

As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing, sharing their day's experiences and dreams for the future. Clara found herself relaxing, the tension that had been building up inside her slowly dissipating. She was with Sarah, her best friend, and the warmth of their friendship was a soothing balm to her troubled heart.

"Are you okay, Clara?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with concern. "You seem a bit… off."

Clara hesitated, unsure how to explain the strange feelings swirling within her. "I… I fell," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "And there is boy helped me up. He was really nice."

"Oh, that's sweet," Sarah said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Did he have a cute smile?"

Clara's heart skipped a beat. "He did," she whispered, a warmth spreading through her chest. "And… and I feel different. Like, really different."

Sarah's smile widened. "Oh, Clara," she said, her voice teasing. "You've fallen for him, haven't you?"

Clara's eyes widened in surprise. "I… I don't know," she stammered. "It's just… I've never felt like this before."

Sarah laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's called love, Clara. And it's a beautiful thing."

Clara, however, didn't share Sarah's enthusiasm. The idea of "love" felt overwhelming and confusing. She had always been content with her quiet life, her predictable routine. The thought of someone disrupting that, of having to navigate the complexities of a relationship, filled her with a sense of unease.

"I don't know, Sarah," she said, her voice hesitant. "It's nice that he helped me, but I'm not sure I'm ready for all that."

Sarah's smile faltered slightly. "But Clara, you're so young! You should experience love, it's a part of life."

Clara shook her head, her gaze fixed on the ground.

Clara shifted her weight, her gaze still fixed on the worn tiles of the Family Mart floor. "I'd rather focus on my art," she said, her voice gaining a touch of conviction. "I've been working on a new piece, a portrait of a woman, and I'm really excited about it."

Sarah's smile returned, though a hint of understanding lingered in her eyes. "Oh, right! I saw the sketch you showed me. It's amazing, Clara. You're so talented."

Clara blushed, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you. It's just... I feel like I'm finally finding my voice through my art. It's a way of expressing myself that feels more comfortable, more me."

They finished their onigiri, the savory rice filling a welcome comfort in the late evening. The green tea latte, still warm in their hands, provided a sweet contrast. The fluorescent lights of the Family Mart cast a sterile glow over the store, highlighting the rows of packaged snacks and drinks. As they walked out, the air was thick with the scent of exhaust fumes and the familiar aroma of street food vendors, though the bustling energy of the day had begun to wane.

"Well, I'm glad you're happy," Sarah said, her voice soft. "Maybe someday you'll be ready for love, but for now, focus on your art. You're incredible, Clara, and you deserve to be happy with your own journey."

Clara nodded, a sense of peace settling over her. They walked side by side, their footsteps echoing on the pavement as they headed back to their respective homes. The city lights began to flicker on, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. Clara felt a sense of contentment, a quiet joy in the simple act of returning home, her heart filled with the quiet hum of her artistic passion.

As they walked, the narrow alleyway leading to Sarah's home came into view. The air grew quieter, the city sounds fading into a distant hum. Sarah stopped, a wistful smile gracing her lips. "This is me," she said, gesturing towards a small, brightly painted door. "See you tomorrow?"

Clara nodded, a touch of sadness creeping into her heart. "Of course," she replied, her voice soft. "I'll be working on my portrait, maybe you can come over and see it later?"

Sarah's eyes lit up. "Really? I'd love that! I'll bring some snacks." She gave Clara a quick hug, her warmth radiating through the cool evening air. "See you soon, Clara!"

Clara watched as Sarah disappeared into her home, the door closing with a soft click. She turned and began walking in the opposite direction, her mind already filled with the image of the woman in her portrait. The alleyway was dark, the only light coming from a flickering street lamp at the far end. But Clara didn't feel afraid. She felt a sense of purpose, a quiet determination to capture the essence of her subject on paper. The city lights, now fully ablaze, painted the sky in a vibrant tapestry of color. Clara smiled, her heart filled with the quiet hum of her artistic passion, a passion that felt more real and more powerful than any fleeting feeling of love. She walked on, her footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night, her mind already lost in the world of her art.