WHEN I LIKED ASHTON

FIRST DAY OF HIGHSCHOOL

The clock had just struck eight in the morning, and the school hallways buzzed with the nervous excitement of the first day. New faces, new classes, new everything. But to me, it just felt like another day- one I hoped would be simple and uneventful.

As I stepped through the doors of the high school, the principal's voice echoed through the corridors, calling out different classes. "1 A this way! 1B over here! 1C, follow me! 1D, you're this way!"

I followed the stream of students heading towards 1C. Samantha and Rose - my closest friends since primary school- were in 1A. We'd still talk, of course, but being in different classes meant we mostly saw each other after school or on weekends. It felt strange, but I knew we'd stay close.

Walking into 1C, I spotted some familiar faces. There was Courage, who I'd known since primary school, Praise also a  primary friend but she had transferred back to our school after a while away. A few days later, I met Noku and Precious- who quickly became part of my little circle.           Soon, the four of us were inseparable during classes, sharing jokes, notes, and whispered stories.

Everything about that day felt fresh and new. The chatter, the shuffle of backpacks, the nervous glances around the room. But what I didn't expect was how my heart would suddenly skip a beat- all because of one boy.

I honestly don't remember exactly when I first noticed him. Maybe he was there from the start, or maybe he just appeared in my line of sight like a sudden splash of colour on a grey canvas. Either way, the moment I looked up and saw him, something inside me shifted.

His presence was quiet but impossible to ignore.

That was the start of something I didn't quiet understand yet- the start of liking Ashton....