Title: When Our Worlds Almost Touched
Chapter 1: The Girl Who Never Looked Up
Lina Grey had a habit of keeping her eyes down.
At school, she walked through the halls like a shadow—quiet, careful, invisible. She wasn’t unpopular, but she wasn’t noticed either. Teachers remembered her for neat handwriting. Classmates remembered her as “the quiet girl.”
That was fine with Lina.
Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
Every day after school, she went to the rooftop of the old library near campus. It was empty, peaceful, and safe. From there, she could see the city lights slowly turn on as the sky faded into soft orange and purple.
That’s when she first saw him.
He was standing on the opposite rooftop, hands in his pockets, looking straight at the sky like he was searching for answers hidden in the clouds.
Tall. Calm. Distant.
Lina froze.
She didn’t know why her heart suddenly beat faster.
The boy turned slightly—and their eyes met.
Just for a second.
Then he looked away.
Lina didn’t know it yet, but that moment would change everything.
Chapter 2: The Boy With Too Many Secrets
His name was Eli Cross.
That’s what Lina overheard two girls whispering in the hallway the next day.
“He transferred last week.” “They say he doesn’t talk much.” “I heard he’s leaving again soon.”
Leaving?
Lina felt something strange twist in her chest.
She started noticing Eli everywhere—sitting by the window in class, staying behind after the bell, walking alone with his headphones on. He smiled politely when spoken to, but his eyes always looked far away.
Like he didn’t belong here.
One afternoon, Lina returned to the rooftop.
Eli was already there.
“Uh—sorry,” she said quickly. “I can go.”
He turned. “You don’t have to.”
His voice was quiet. Kind.
They stood there, not speaking, watching the sunset together.
It felt… easy.
For the first time in a long while, Lina looked up instead of down.
Chapter 3: Almost Something
Days passed. Then weeks.
They didn’t talk much, but they didn’t need to. Sometimes silence said more than words.
Lina learned Eli liked the sky because it never stayed the same. Eli learned Lina liked quiet places because noise made her feel lost.
One evening, rain began to fall suddenly.
Lina laughed as she tried to cover her notebook.
Eli held his jacket over her head.
Their hands brushed.
Both of them froze.
“I—” Eli started, then stopped.
Lina looked at him, her heart pounding.
For a moment, it felt like the world was holding its breath.
Then Eli stepped back.
“I should go,” he said.
Lina watched him leave, rain mixing with something warm in her eyes.
She didn’t understand why it hurt.
Chapter 4: The Goodbye She Wasn’t Ready For
The next day, Eli’s seat was empty.
The teacher spoke softly. “Eli Cross has transferred.”
Just like that.
No warning. No goodbye.
Lina ran to the rooftop after school.
Empty.
The sky felt heavier than ever.
She thought that was the end.
Until she found a folded paper taped to the railing.
“Some people meet at the wrong time.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t matter.
Look up. I will too.”
—E
Lina smiled through her tears.
Maybe this wasn’t a goodbye.
Maybe it was just the beginning.
Cliffhanger Ending
Months later, in a different city, Lina stepped onto a new rooftop.
And across the way—
Someone was already there.
Looking up.
