Beyond the pain and loneliness

The sharp sound of the bell rang in Pariz's ears, pulling her out of her thoughts. With a jolt, and without a second thought, she dashed toward her new classroom. Her firm steps echoed through the empty hallways, and with every stride, the hairstyle her mother had lovingly arranged came undone. Her hair now fluffed up, creating a messy volume that emphasized her disheveled appearance.

Finally, she stopped in front of a door. "Room 1-02" she read on the metallic plaque, her breath ragged as she dared to knock softly. The door creaked open, and Pariz, with her head bowed and a tone mixing shyness with regret, murmured:

—May I come in?

Her eyes lifted briefly to meet Professor Michael's. Despite his youth "he couldn't be older than 22, she thought" he exuded an authority beyond his years. He wore a crisp black suit with a white shirt that contrasted against his fair skin. His hair, slicked back with almost obsessive precision, gave him a modern yet impeccably professional look. His gaze was serious, though not intimidating, and he nodded briefly, allowing her to enter.

Pariz stepped inside, closing the door behind her, and let her gaze wander around the classroom. The walls, painted a gleaming white, were adorned with past students' projects and group photos. The room was spacious, bright thanks to large windows that let in the morning sunlight, and carried that peculiar smell of paper and wood that only classrooms have.

Her eyes stopped on a familiar figure sitting in the last row by the window. It was Johan, her best friend. With a relaxed smile, he absentmindedly twirled a new pencil between his fingers with almost hypnotic skill. Noticing Pariz's presence, he quickly waved his hand, signaling to an empty seat he'd saved for her.

Pariz returned the gesture with a wave, feeling a small spark of relief at seeing a familiar face in such a new place. As she walked to her seat, she noticed the peculiar glint in Johan's eyes, a dark yellow that seemed to catch every ray of light. His hair, dyed a vibrant orange, was starting to show bright brown roots, as if only a couple of days had passed since his last touch-up.

The class began, and time seemed to stretch with Professor Michael's explanations, delivered in an almost hypnotic eloquence. However, for Pariz, the words felt like a distant hum. Her attention came and went, caught between the nervousness of being the new student and the relief of not being completely alone.

Finally, the dismissal bell broke the monotonous rhythm of the class, announcing the much-awaited break. Pariz let out a long sigh, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease slightly. They had thirty minutes to eat, chat, or simply escape the school routine. As she stood up, she glanced at Johan, who was already turning to wait for her. With his usual smile, as if everything in the world was under control, Johan took a few steps ahead. Pariz followed him, both heading toward a large rock under a leafy tree whose leaves were gradually turning a vibrant autumn orange.

Pariz, leaning down to pick up a completely orange leaf from the ground, held it up with a mocking smile.

—Look, Johan, your hair. —She let out a small laugh as she waved the leaf in front of him.

Johan looked at her with feigned indignation.

—What are you implying? That I'm going bald? —he replied in a joking tone as they both laughed together.

They brushed off some leaves covering the rock and sat down. Pariz stretched, letting out a long sigh before speaking.

—Do you know when JJ is coming back? —she asked while distractedly staring at the sky through the branches.

Johan put a hand to his chin, thinking for a moment.

—I think he's coming next week. Why, do you already miss your boyfriend?

Pariz's reaction was immediate; she gave him a light punch on the shoulder, her face slightly reddening.

—He's not my boyfriend, idiot! He's just a friend,— she protested, covering her face with her hands to hide her embarrassment.

Johan chuckled softly, leaning back against the rock.

Time passed quickly between jokes and laughter. Words flowed with an ease that seemed to erase any weight pressing on them. Johan lay back on the rock, letting his arms fall open.

Pariz looked at him more seriously, interlacing her fingers.

—What would you do if someone pushed you into the water and you didn't know how to swim? —Pariz asked, her voice fading into the air.

—Oh, I don't know, maybe break the world record, —Johan replied, letting out a yawn.

—I did say you didn't know how to swim. How are you going to break the world record, idiot? —she said, laughing uncontrollably.

Johan started moving his arms like a professional swimmer.

—Maybe I can anyway.

They both burst into laughter, and Pariz shook her head, both amused and incredulous. Deep down, though, she felt lighter. Happy to see her friend again.

The laughter stopped, and Johan sat up from the uncomfortable seat, stretching his arms.

—I'm hungry. How about we go to the store?

Johan extended his hand to help her up.

—Sure, what are you buying me?

—Why? —he asked, helping her to her feet.

—Isn't it obvious? I don't have any money.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he eventually let out a laugh.

—You're unbelievable.

She smiled with almost childlike innocence.

—Only unbelievable?

They laughed one last time, but the entrance bell interrupted the moment, announcing the end of the break.

—Come on, you don't want Mr. Michael to scold you again, right?

Pariz gave him a sidelong glance and, without saying anything, sprinted off.

—Hurry, Johan, or you'll be the one getting scolded.

Surprised by the sudden race, he shouted after her.

—Hey, wait for me! That's cheating!

The following hours passed in a blur. The classroom chatter, hurriedly written notes, and tired eyes watching the clock blended into a routine haze. The afternoon arrived too quickly, and with it, the inevitable goodbye.

As they left the school, Johan raised his fist in the air with a shout that filled the air.

—See you tomorrow, Pariz! Remember, no one will ever be later than you!

Pariz smiled, raising a hand in response, her voice dripping with sarcasm but tinged with humor.

—Yeah, sure, Johan. Don't forget to break the swimming record!

They laughed once more before going their separate ways. But when Johan disappeared from sight, something changed. Pariz's smile slowly faded, like a candle snuffed out by the breeze. Her shoulders, once upright, began to slump. The weight Johan had seemed to share with her throughout the day now rested solely on her own, heavy and cold.

"It's easier when you're here when someone is,— she thought as her steps echoed on the empty sidewalks. —But they can't always be."

When she reached her house, she stopped. She looked at the worn-down facade, the stained windows, and the door with its faded handle. The image was as familiar as it was painful. For a moment, she thought about turning back, walking aimlessly, looking for anywhere but here.

But instead, she took a deep breath.

"I hate arriving and seeing someone waiting for me."

Pariz approached the door and turned the handle.