Polaris walked through the bustling hallways of the school, her heart heavy as she felt the weight of her isolation. The laughter and chatter of her classmates surrounded her, but it all felt distant and muffled, like she was trapped inside a bubble, watching life unfold without her. She glanced over at the usual spot where William, Hero, Sebastian, and Daryl congregated, but her heart sank at the sight of them laughing together.“Look at them,” she murmured to herself, forcing a smile she didn’t feel. “Just a bunch of guys who’ll forget I even exist.”After Sebastian’s careless comment about mistresses, a painful seed of doubt had been planted in her mind. What if they really did see her that way? The thought gnawed at her, festering until it became unbearable. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were looking at her differently now, their expressions filled with pity or worse, judgment. The idea of being labeled as something so negative, especially by the people she had begun to
“I’m fine, really! Just a little under the weather,” Hero insisted, his voice hoarse as he tried to wave away Polaris’s concerns.“You don’t look fine at all!” Polaris replied, frowning as she stepped into his small apartment, taking in the sight of him bundled up on the couch, his usually vibrant eyes dull and tired.“Trust me, I’ve had worse,” he said, attempting a smile, but it faltered as he broke into a cough.Polaris’s heart ached at the sight of him so vulnerable. She remembered their last encounter, filled with tension and unspoken words. Guilt washed over her. Had she pushed him away?“Maybe I should just go,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but she didn’t move to leave.“No,” he said more firmly, the strength in his voice fading. “I’d rather you stay.”Without thinking, Polaris dropped her bag and rushed to the kitchen. She quickly assessed the shelves for supplies, her mind racing. He needs nourishment. She found some chicken broth and noodles, a few vegetab
“Polaris, you really don’t have to do this,” Hero said, his voice a mix of gratitude and concern as he lay on the couch, wrapped in a blanket.“I know I don’t have to,” she replied, glancing up from her notes, her pen hovering over a blank page. “But I want to. You’ve been there for me, and it’s my turn to help.”He gave her a soft smile, his eyes slightly unfocused from the fever. “You’re too kind. I’m just a mess right now.”“Exactly! That’s why I can’t let you flounder,” Polaris said, determination creeping into her voice. “Besides, your project is important, and you work really hard on it.”Hero sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. “Yeah, but you’ve got your own stuff to worry about.”“Yeah, I do,” she said, biting her lip. “But I think I can manage both. Just give me a bit of time, and I’ll help you get it done.”Hero’s expression turned serious. “You know, I can’t let you sacrifice your own grades for me. I wouldn’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me.”“I’m not
“Where the hell is he?” William muttered under his breath, scanning the crowd with a furrowed brow. The event was in full swing, yet his father’s absence loomed heavily over him. It was supposed to be a day of pride, a moment for his family to celebrate his hard work, but all he felt was disappointment.“William!” Polaris called, pushing her way through the throngs of people. Her smile was bright, but as she approached, she noticed the tension etched across his face. “I’m so glad I made it!”“Yeah, well, it’s not like my dad bothered to show up,” he snapped, frustration bubbling over. “He prioritized a meeting with his business partners over my speech. Can you believe that?”Polaris’s smile faltered, and she reached out to him. “I’m sorry. I know how much this means to you.”William sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration mixing with sadness in his voice. “It just feels like I’m not important to him. I worked so hard for this, and he’s not even here. I was hoping he’d at
“Alright, everyone, settle down!” Professor Blake’s voice boomed over the restless noise of the classroom, snapping everyone’s attention forward. “Tomorrow, we’re heading to Silver Pines National Park for our field trip. It’s mandatory, so I don’t want to hear any excuses. We’ll be leaving at seven a.m. sharp, and anyone not on that bus will get a zero for the day.”Polaris barely looked up from her notebook. A field trip was the last thing she needed right now, especially one where she had to spend hours pretending everything was fine. Her eyes flicked over to the boys sitting in the row ahead of her—William, Hero, Sebastian, and Daryl—talking amongst themselves like they didn’t have a care in the world. They hadn’t noticed her lately, and a part of her was relieved. Another part, though, missed the easy camaraderie they used to share.Professor Blake continued, rattling off more instructions. “Remember, no wandering off into the woods by yourselves. This is an educational trip, not
Polaris shifted her gaze to the water, unsure where to start. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but it felt heavy, laden with things unsaid.“I get it,” she finally whispered, breaking the quiet. “Needing space, I mean.”Daryl’s eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to the lake. “Yeah,” he murmured. “It’s… easier out here.”Polaris nodded, drawing her knees to her chest. “I’ve been feeling that a lot lately. Like… the noise just doesn’t stop. And the more I try to keep up, the harder it gets to breathe.”Daryl was quiet for a long moment before he spoke. “People don’t get it,” he said, his voice low but edged with something raw. “They look at you, see what they want to see, and they never stop to think that maybe… maybe you’re just as lost as they are.”Polaris turned her head, surprised at how much those words resonated with her. She had never expected this kind of conversation with Daryl—he was always the one everyone said was trouble, the one who kept to himself
Polaris let out a long sigh, leaning back against the cool stone bench at the edge of the park. The exhaustion of exam week weighed heavily on her, every subject, every test question still buzzing around in her mind. She closed her eyes and let the breeze brush over her face, grateful for a brief moment of peace. Her birthday was only a day away, but the idea of celebrating felt distant and unnecessary.I just want some quiet, she thought to herself. This year, like every other, Polaris didn’t feel the need for a big celebration. Birthdays had never been a big deal for her, not since her childhood. With everything going on—the pressure of school, the confusing feelings about the boys—she wanted nothing more than a peaceful day to herself.“I’ll just take myself out,” she murmured, thinking aloud. Maybe she’d visit her favorite café, grab some coffee and a pastry, and wander around the park. She didn’t need anything fancy. No one knew it was her birthday anyway, or at least, she hoped
As they all settled in, Polaris noticed Sebastian watching her intently. There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, and she sensed he wanted to speak to her privately. When the crowd dispersed momentarily, he motioned for her to follow him outside to the balcony.“Hey, can we talk for a minute?” he asked, his voice sincere.“Of course,” she replied, stepping out into the cool night air. The stars twinkled above them, casting a soft glow on the two of them as they leaned against the railing.“I just wanted to say I’m really sorry about everything that happened before,” Sebastian began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I know things got messed up between us.”Polaris sighed, her heart softening at his honesty. “It’s okay, really. I was just overwhelmed. I know you didn’t mean it the way it came out. I just… I’ve had a lot on my mind.”“I get it. But I want you to know that I value our friendship,” he said earnestly, looking dire
The morning light seeped through the blinds, casting long, muted shadows across Polaris’s apartment. The soft hum of the city outside, the far-off sounds of traffic and conversation, filtered in through the cracks, but inside, there was nothing but stillness. She hadn’t moved from her bed yet. Her body felt like it was cemented into the sheets, her limbs heavy, and her mind was miles away, lost in thoughts she couldn’t shake.She thought of Sebastian.And that thought sent an immediate tension through her chest. She hadn’t wanted to think about him, not really, but his face, his voice, his words—they lingered, stubborn and impossible to ignore.It was confusing. Because while she didn’t want to feel anything for him, she couldn’t deny the small, unspoken connection that lingered between them, one that was impossible to ignore. Or maybe she just didn’t want to face the truth—that part of her was still drawn to him.But no. She couldn’t. She shouldn’t.Polaris shifted, sitting up and dr
Polaris stared at the phone in her hand, the lingering sound of Sebastian’s voice echoing in her ear. He’d apologized for not being able to introduce her to his family. “I’m sorry, Polaris,” he’d said, his voice warm yet distant. “I just… I wasn’t ready.”She hadn’t wanted to ask why, though she knew. She could feel it in her bones: he was pulling away. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit it, not even to herself.“It’s okay,” she had said, though the words felt hollow. They were a lie, and they tasted bitter on her tongue. “It’s fine. I understand.”But as soon as she said it, she knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t fine. It never would be.She didn’t give him a chance to say more. “I have to go,” she had added quickly, her voice tight. Without waiting for his response, she hung up.The sharp click of the phone disconnecting echoed in the empty room. She stood there for a moment, the silence pressing in, before shaking herself from the stupor of her thoughts.She needed to get out. She need
Polaris was bent over a stack of fabric samples, her hands flipping through the various textures, when a quiet sob reached her ears. At first, she dismissed it, thinking it was just the wind playing tricks. But then it came again, sharper this time, followed by the soft shuffling of footsteps.She looked up, expecting to see a colleague, but instead, she saw a young girl standing by the fabric shelf. The girl was no more than seven or eight, her tear-streaked face twisted in confusion and fear. She wore a bright pink jacket, the sleeves slightly too long, dragging on the floor as she shuffled awkwardly on her tiny feet.Polaris’s first instinct was to approach, but she hesitated. She hadn’t been around children much since… well, since a long time ago. But the girl’s sobs grew louder, and Polaris found herself stepping closer, her hands instinctively smoothing over the fabric, trying to calm her own nerves before speaking.“Hey, are you okay?” Polaris asked softly, crouching down to th
The evening wore on, the city lights casting long shadows across the rooftop as the crowd mingled around the bar. Polaris had barely touched her wine, her mind still locked on the unexpected appearance of Sebastian. She had thought of him over the years, of course, but only in fleeting moments, like passing clouds. Seeing him here, in this city, in this moment—it stirred something deep inside her. Something she wasn’t quite ready to face.But she wasn’t about to let old memories dictate her life again. Not now. Not when she was so close to securing her future, to carving out a new identity for herself. So, after a few moments of silent contemplation, she straightened her posture and decided to push through.She glanced back toward the entrance, and this time, her eyes locked with Sebastian’s. He wasn’t looking her way, but when he turned toward the door, their gazes met. He didn’t hesitate; he walked toward her with that same calm, collected stride she remembered so well.“Polaris,” h
Polaris walked into the meeting room, carrying her tablet with the project sketches displayed. The room was sleek and modern, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The client, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, sat at the conference table, flanked by his assistant and a couple of other colleagues. Polaris set the tablet down, taking a deep breath before addressing the room.“Good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice steady but confident. “I’m Polaris. I’ll be walking you through our initial concepts for the new office complex project.”The client nodded, his arms folded across his chest, a slight air of expectation about him. Polaris flipped the tablet screen to the first design.“As per your brief, you’re looking for a space that not only meets your functional needs but also offers an innovative, modern design that stands out in this area. This building will serve as both a hub for your employees and a showcase of your company’s values—creativity, sustainab
The soft murmur of voices filled the air as Polaris stood by the entrance of the grand hall, adjusting the strap of her purse. The event was a swirl of lights, laughter, and chatter, a celebration of some local achievement, but to her, it felt like nothing more than a distraction. She wasn’t sure why she had come, but the invitation had arrived, and the idea of getting caught up in the whirlwind of it all seemed oddly tempting. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but she hadn’t expected this.As she glanced around the room, her eyes caught a familiar face across the crowd, a flash of dark hair and a strong, steady presence. It was him—Sebastian.Her breath hitched in her chest as the crowd parted, and he moved in her direction, his usual confident stride making its way toward her like a magnet. Time seemed to slow, the noise of the event fading into the background as memories rushed back—memories of their late-night conversations, their shared laughter, and the moments that had on
Polaris stretched her legs under the table, her fingers idly flipping through the project details displayed on her laptop screen. It was nearing dusk, the city lights starting to flicker to life outside her window, casting a warm glow into the room. She sipped her coffee, half-listening to the sounds of traffic outside, until her gaze fell upon the project location listed at the top of the document.Her hometown.She sat back, heart skipping a beat as she stared at the familiar name, the memories rushing in before she could push them away. She hadn’t been back since she’d left for good, vowing to carve out her own path far from everything familiar. And yet, here it was, pulling her back when she least expected it.The project itself was a career-defining opportunity—a collaboration that combined creativity and community, everything she valued in her work. It was the kind of project she would have leapt at… if it hadn’t been for the location. She let out a slow breath, scanning through
“Did you make it back safe, Polaris? Please tell me you at least took a cab this time,” Camille’s voice buzzed through Polaris’s phone, her concern palpable even across the line.Polaris let out a soft laugh, easing into the familiar warmth of her friend’s worry. “Yes, Camille, I’m home safe and sound,” she assured, dropping her keys on the small, rickety table by the door. “Took a cab, and everything.”“Good! You know I’ll show up on your doorstep if I find out you’re wandering around Paris at this hour alone,” Camille teased, though Polaris knew she meant it.A smile played on Polaris’s lips as she kicked off her shoes, feeling a comfort she rarely allowed herself. “You know I wouldn’t mind that. It’s only been two days, and I already miss our weekly coffee talks.” Her voice softened, the exhaustion from the long journey finally setting in.“Me too, P. It’s way too quiet without you around to shake things up,” Camille sighed. “But I’m glad you’re back and settling in. You really sou
The city skyline stretched across the darkening sky, a mixture of fading amber and deep violet, casting long shadows over the buildings. Polaris stood on the balcony of her apartment, the cool evening air tugging at her hair as she gripped the railing. It had been seven years since she left, seven years since she had said goodbye to the life she once knew, to the people who had helped her become who she was today—and to the ones who had nearly broken her.She thought she had buried the past, but standing here now, she could feel its weight returning, like old wounds reopening beneath a thin layer of scar tissue. Tomorrow, she would see them again—Sebastian, Hero, Daryl, and even Anne, each one holding pieces of a history they all had shared, but which time had distorted, fractured, and remade.The letter from the company had arrived two months ago. “We’re assigning you to a major project in your hometown,” it read, as if her past were simply a location on a map, waiting patiently for