Whispers in the Hallways

Chapter 1: A Glance That Changed Everything

The soft hum of students chatting filled the classroom as Emily rested her chin on her palm, absentmindedly scribbling hearts in the corner of her notebook. The door creaked open, and her heart skipped a beat.

Jack stepped inside.

Tall, quiet, and always distant—he was the mystery that lingered at the edge of her world. He wasn’t someone she spoke to often. Yet, whenever he passed by, her eyes unconsciously followed. She had convinced herself it was mere curiosity. But why did her stomach flutter each time their gazes met for a split second before he looked away?

"Emily, you okay?" Mia’s voice broke through her thoughts.

She blinked, realizing she had been staring at Jack for too long. “Yeah, just thinking.”

Mia smirked, nudging her shoulder. “Thinking? Or daydreaming?”

Emily groaned, flipping her notebook closed. “Not everything is about romance, Mia.”

“Oh, but it is,” Mia sang, twirling a pen between her fingers.

Emily rolled her eyes but couldn’t deny the warmth creeping up her neck.

Jack sat at the edge of his usual desk, eyes focused on the open textbook before him. He was never the type to engage in unnecessary conversation. If he spoke in class, it was usually to answer a question—brief, to the point, no extra words. But today was different.

Emily’s class had been combined with his for an English lesson, and something about the atmosphere felt lighter, more vibrant. Jack, who was usually reserved, was suddenly more talkative than usual. He spoke easily with the teacher, throwing in occasional comments that made a few students chuckle. He even joked lightly, something Emily had never seen him do before.

But what caught her the most wasn’t his words—it was his smile.

A small, rare smile that tugged at the corners of his lips, one that transformed his usually serious face into something entirely different. Carefree. Unbothered. Happy.

Emily had never seen him like this before. It was as if, for the first time, she was looking at someone entirely new, a version of Jack that existed outside of the quiet, distant boy she had come to know only from afar.

Her heart did something strange, a small flutter in her chest, a twist deep in her stomach that left her momentarily breathless. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one she couldn't quite place. Was it admiration? Interest? Or something else entirely?

She wanted to turn to Mia, to whisper about the odd sensation blooming inside her, to ask why Jack's laughter felt like a melody she wanted to hear again. But for some reason, she stayed quiet.

Instead, she watched.

She watched as Jack leaned back slightly,

flipping through his textbook absentmindedly. She watched as his fingers tapped against the desk in rhythm with his thoughts. She watched as his smile lingered for just a second longer before fading, replaced once again by his usual quiet demeanor.

Emily swallowed. She had always known Jack as the boy who avoided attention, who kept his distance from most people. But today, he had let the world in—just a little.

And for the first time, Emily wished she was a part of that world too.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***