Page 1, start of chapt 1, walk
page 1, 1/17/25
Walk. They walked on opposite sides, strangers. Nothing, they are distracted. Concentrating on his phone to see if he won an art comparison for his mother is sick and needs the money.
While she walks with her friends, she has the voice of an angel, and she knows it. Waiting to see if her song was loved by other people, scared. They both are. Her name is Arie West, she feels unheard, and alone. Her father, the one person she thought, made her feel weird. His name is Leo Wilson. His father is gone, he left. His mother is sick, he is working hard, feeling tired but not alone, for he has his mother.
They go to the same school, they don’t even know they exist. They have a few classes no together, just three though. But one day they are partners in a science project they look to see who the teacher is talking about; they look at each other with confusion. Not knowing one or the other existed.
One of them had to move to the other table, but they both wouldn’t, eventually she gave in and walked towards him. She introduced herself. She waited for an introduction back, and eventually, he did
he said,” Yeah, nice. My name is Loe.”
It was a dry response, with him not wanting to continue talking. But she did and didn’t at the same time, she was curious but didn’t want to interact, and eventually, she gave up. And put her head down she fell asleep, but it was okay she had already understood the assignment and was an A student in the class. On the other hand, Leo was struggling, he had to keep trying to write down as many notes as possible and stay awake while he watched his partner fall asleep. When she woke up, Leo was still trying to write down the notes.
She sighed and said,” You're doing it wrong.”
Leo pauses and looks at her.
He says,” How?”
Arie says,” Well first you don’t need to write down every single word, you know. And you're not understanding it when you read it.”
Leo says with a confused face, "Then how would you do it then?”
End of page 1, 2/16/25
Page 2, 2/17/25
Arie says,” Well first right down what you do and don’t understand and separate them. The things you don’t understand go to a teacher and ask more questions about it and review it with flash cards.”
Leo said,” You make it sound so simple.”
Arie says,” It is and isn’t.”
Leo says,” What do you mean?”
Arie says,” I mean it takes a bit of work and getting used to, and if you don’t do it right you’ll end up not understanding anything.”
Leo says,” Hmm.”
Leo said with a serious look. Arie looked back at the board and saw the teacher writing the instructions for the project.
Arie says,” Mmm Leo you should probably write that down.”
Loe says,” What why? You just said I shouldn’t write everything down.”
Arie says,” Yeah, but those are the instructions for the project.”
Leo says,” Wait what.”
Arie says,” Hurry up and write.”
Leo says,” On it”
Arie says,” Do you want to start today or tomorrow?”
Leo says,” I mean the sooner the better to finish faster ‘cause I got work.”
Arie says,” Well okay wanna go to the library then or to my or your house?”
Leon says,” Umm well the library is fine cause of the books and it’s quiet.”
Arei says,” Ok then it’s a plan well bye.”
Loe says,” Wait where are you going class isn’t over yet.”
Arie says,” Yeah it is even the teacher left. And I am late for my other class so bye.”
Leon says,” Wait what class do you have next, and at what time do you want me to be there?”
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Start of page 3,March/10/25
Arie says,” My next class is algebra and for the library at 5 pm.”
Leo says,” Ok tothe library and my next class is also algebra. You wanna walk together?”
Arie says,” Umm.Sure I couldn’t hurt.”
Leo says,” Okay lets get going.”
They leave theclassroom Arie with confidence and Leo with nervousness. They walk down thehalls completely alone and silently. The halls are completely empty showingthem how late they are, Arie doesn't care cause she can ask her friends fornotes. Loe on the other hand is terrified that he will get a scolding from theirteacher and will have no notes and won’t have anyone to ask.
Loe says,” Hey,can I borrow your notes if you get a chance”
Arie says,” Sure,I’m going to ask friends for notes and I can pass mine to you. Oh and want toexchange numbers? For the project and the notes in case I forget.”
Leo says,” Uum,ok, sure.”
Leo passes over his phone and Arie puts her number in with alittle smile, but Leo is to nervous to notice
Leo says, "Thanks ahead of time.”
Arie says,” no problem as long as I can help out.”
And then they get to class, knock on the door as they gointo the dark room with only the projection light letting them see where theywere going, they ended up sitting next to each other
Arie says in a jokingly tone,” We meet again.”
Leo grins,” I guess we do.”
Arie says,” Do you like this class”
Leo says,” Yeah but I don't really get it.”
Arie says,” If you ever need any help i can tutor you forfree.”
Leo says,” Really?” with a hint of surprise
Arie says,” Occurs ill make an exception just or you.”
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Start of page 4Nov/15/25
Leo grins and says, "What other subjects are you goodat?”
Arie says as she notices the teachers falling asleep,"I'm a straight A student how about you.”
Leo says,” Wow that's impressive, I'm no good at any subjectthe highest grade I’ve gotten is a –A and do you like school or are you justgood at school.”
Arie says,” No I don't like school or any of the subjectsthey give us how about you.”
Leo says,” Well I don't like school I just like Art.”
Arie says,” Oh nice, so you're an artist, I was expectingyou to say PE or smth.”
Leo says as he chuckles underneath his breath,” you reallydaunted me like that.”
Arie laughs but is careful not to let the teacher notice
Arie says, "shouldn't you be trying to write done asmany notes as you can.”
Leo says,” Well thatwas before I had a tutor.”
As they chatted away about school, time had passed a lot soonerthan they thought. Then the last bell rings and it'sthe end of the day.
As Leo and Arie pack up Arie turns to Leo and
Says,” you never ended un telling me if we should go to thelibrary today or tomorrow.”
Leo says,” Oh yeah I forgot, um today and you said at 5, right?”
Arie says,” Okay and yup 5, see you then.” As Arie leavesthe classroom, she waves goodbye to Leo.
Leo says,” okay bye.” He waves back at her with a littlesmile on his face. As he's watching her leave, his heart gets a feeling ofcuriosity, but Leo dismisses it as nothing.
Arie walks down the hall as she connects her headphones toher phone, to listen to the songs she's been writing, the only glimmer of hope she has formher mother, Arie thinks back to the time where her mother wasn't so controllingshe was supportive, happy even but then a flipped switched he mother hatedeverything Arie did she want “good enough” all her achievements were insignificantin her mother's eyes. Arie had stopped doing things she loved like singing,dancing, writing, and oh how she loved those things. But how much her mother despised those things.
End of page 4 Nov/15/25
