Chapter 1
Leina Hart didn’t like moving.
It wasn’t the packing or the long car rides that bothered her. It was the feeling of standing in a new place where everyone already seemed to know each other, while she was the only unfamiliar face in the crowd.
Rosehaven looked exactly like the kind of town people described as peaceful.
Small houses with flower gardens lined the quiet streets. A bakery on the corner filled the air with the smell of warm bread, and bicycles were parked outside the tiny café near the town square. It felt calm—almost too calm.
Leina adjusted the strap of her bag as she walked down the street toward the lake she had noticed earlier on the map.
Her parents were still busy unpacking at the new house, but she needed a moment alone. Moving to a new place always made her feel like she had been dropped into someone else’s story.
The lake appeared at the end of the road, shining softly under the afternoon sun. A wooden path ran along the water, leading to a small row of benches.
Leina walked slowly until she reached the very last one.
It sat a little farther from the others, almost hidden beneath a tall willow tree whose branches swayed gently in the breeze. From there, the whole lake stretched out like a quiet mirror.
For the first time that day, Leina felt herself relax.
She sat down and watched the ripples move across the water.
Maybe this place wouldn’t be so bad. Slowly the time passed and Leina didn’t know how long she had been sitting there, watching the small waves move across the lake.
“Most people stop at the first bench.”
She turned quickly.
A boy stood a few steps away, leaning casually against the wooden railing. The wind moved his dark hair slightly, but his expression remained calm, almost amused.
Leina frowned a little. “Well, I’m not most people.”
“I noticed.”
For a moment he simply looked at her, then glanced at the bench.
“You picked an interesting spot.”
Leina raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
The boy shrugged lightly.
“Because it’s my bench.”
Leina blinked. “Your bench?”
“Yeah,” he said, as if it were obvious. “I’m usually the one who relaxes here.”
Leina crossed her arms.
“Last time I checked,” she said calmly, “benches next to lakes don’t belong to anyone.”
The boy let out a quiet laugh.
“I didn’t say I owned it. I’m just saying I sit here first.”
Leina stood up slowly, brushing a bit of dust from her jeans.
“Well,” she said, stepping away from the bench, “today you don’t.”
The boy watched her for a moment before speaking again.
“Benjamin Carter,” he said, introducing himself as if their small argument hadn’t happened.
Leina hesitated, then replied, “Leina Hart.”
Benjamin nodded slightly.
“Nice to meet you, Leina Hart.”
Leina glanced at the lake one last time before turning to leave.
As she walked away, she heard his voice again behind her.
“See you around.”
She didn’t bother answering.
But as she walked back toward town, one thought stayed in her mind.
Great, she thought.
The first person I meet in this town is already annoying.
