Polaris sat alone at her usual spot in the cafeteria, picking at her food. The hum of conversation filled the air, but she kept to herself, grateful for a quiet moment. She liked it this way—sitting in the corner, unnoticed. After the last few days, it felt better to stay under the radar.But her peace was short-lived. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked up to see Sebastian making his way through the crowded cafeteria. His easy, confident stride drew attention from nearly everyone. Students started whispering, their eyes flickering toward him, and then, toward her.No way. He wouldn’t… not here.Before she could react, Sebastian plopped down across from her, setting his tray on the table. “Hey, thought I’d join you for lunch. Hope that’s cool.”Polaris stared at him, wide-eyed. Her fork hovered mid-air. “Um… yeah, sure,” she mumbled, but her voice lacked conviction.As soon as he sat, the murmurs grew louder. Heads turned in their direction, and a few of the gi
Polaris shifted in her seat, her hands gripping the edge of the table. The auditorium buzzed with low murmurs, the anticipation of the upcoming science quiz thick in the air. Banners hung across the stage, proudly displaying the school’s name and the event title: Annual Science Quiz Bee Competition .She glanced around at the other contestants, each of them seeming composed, their faces focused. For a moment, doubt flickered through her mind. She had studied hard for this, but being here, in front of a crowd, the pressure weighed on her more than she had expected. Polaris wasn’t the kind to put herself in the spotlight, but she had promised herself she would try something new, push herself.The quizmaster’s voice suddenly rang through the microphone, calling for the students to take their places. Polaris stood up, her legs slightly shaky as she walked toward the stage. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat reminding her of the challenge ahead. She could feel the eyes of the audien
Polaris sat in the hallway outside the auditorium, still clutching the small trophy she had earned from the school’s science quiz bee. Her win should have brought her more satisfaction than it did, but the subtle tension she felt whenever she thought of William weighed her down. The air outside was cool, carrying the faint sounds of students shuffling to their next classes. She leaned against the wall, trying to take in the moment of victory, but her thoughts kept drifting.Just then, she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up, and her stomach dropped slightly when she saw a tall figure, a boy dressed neatly in a uniform with a stack of books under his arm. His strides were confident, purposeful. His sharp eyes scanned the room with a mix of curiosity and indifference.Hero Jinro, the famous boy genius, son of a Nobel Prize-winning scientist. She had heard of him, of course—everyone had. His academic accolades were intimidating to say the least. At just 16, he was already an intel
The auditorium hummed with energy, students buzzing with excitement as the Science Quiz Bee began. Polaris shifted nervously in her seat backstage, her stomach twisting into knots. The realization that she was about to compete against Jinro’s grandson, a boy who had practically aced every science competition in existence, made her feel queasy.As she waited for her turn, the nausea intensified, threatening to overwhelm her. She glanced around, searching for a distraction. That’s when she spotted Hero leaning against the wall nearby, arms crossed and a relaxed expression on his face.“Hey, are you okay?” Hero asked, his voice flat and matter-of-fact, not overly soft or caring, but just enough to draw her attention.“Not really,” Polaris admitted, swallowing hard as she tried to mask her discomfort. “I feel a bit… off.”“Just nerves?” he asked, raising an eyebrow but maintaining his casual stance.“Yeah, something like that.” She tried to laugh it off, but the sound felt hollow.Hero sh
Polaris leaned against the cool brick wall of the school building, sipping on her water bottle as she watched students hustle between classes. The chaos of the day felt a world away, but the lingering nausea reminded her of how close she’d come to pushing herself too far.“Hey, are you okay?” Hero’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.She glanced up, meeting his concerned gaze. “I’m fine. Just… trying to regroup after everything.”“Regrouping looks a lot like staring off into space,” he teased lightly, crossing his arms. “You know, if you keep zoning out, someone might think you’re a weirdo or something.”Polaris rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. “Thanks for the concern, but I’m good. Really.”“Right,” he replied, raising an eyebrow. “You fainted. That’s pretty normal.”“Touché,” she admitted, knowing he was right. “I just didn’t expect it to happen, especially at the quiz competition. It was humiliating.”Hero shrugged
Polaris stepped into her room in Jinro’s mansion, the lavish surroundings a stark contrast to her usual modest apartment. The delicate scent of jasmine from the nearby garden wafted through her open window, but it couldn’t mask the exhaustion that clung to her like a heavy blanket. She had spent the day competing in the science quiz bee, and after feeling nauseous and passing out, she was grateful for the sanctuary of her space.As she settled onto the plush bed, she glanced around at the familiar decor—a mix of modern elegance and hints of Jinro’s eclectic taste. It was comforting, yet she still felt out of place. The pressure of her responsibilities weighed heavily on her, and the slight tension in her chest from earlier lingered like a ghost.After a few moments, she heard a soft knock at her door. It creaked open, revealing Jinro’s tall figure, his presence filling the doorway. He wore a light sweater, the fabric loose around his frame, and he looked at her with a mix of curiosity
W I L L I A M“So, you really don’t know her? Polaris, was it?” Devin leaned back against his locker, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. The group had gathered in their usual spot after class, the familiar sound of bustling students filling the hallway. William could feel the stares of his friends as they waited for his response, but his mind was elsewhere—on the memories of the night before and his father’s cutting words.“She’s a bit of a loner, isn’t she?” Another voice chimed in. It was Jake this time, always the one to fan the flames of gossip. “I mean, she’s not really… y’know, our type of crowd.” He emphasized the last words, as if it was a badge of honor to stay within their social circle.William remained silent, his gaze fixed on his phone as he scrolled through messages that didn’t really interest him. He didn’t want to engage in this conversation, but ignoring them would only make things worse. His friends were always like this—fishing for drama, making jokes at
The cool night air felt like a reprieve as William made his way through the forested path, the distant sounds of the charity event slowly fading behind him. His footsteps crunched softly against the fallen leaves, and the faint glimmer of the moonlight reflected off the still surface of the lake up ahead. This place—his sanctuary—was the one part of his life where the weight of expectations couldn’t reach him.Here, under the wide-open sky, the world felt quiet, uncomplicated. The lake shimmered in the darkness, its glass-like surface untouched by the chaos of the event. The trees surrounding the water stood tall, their silhouettes casting long shadows that danced under the faint glow of the stars. This spot had always been a source of peace for him, a refuge from the pressures that came with being William .He could still remember the first time he’d stumbled upon this place. It had been during one of his father’s many business gatherings, years ago, when he had wandered off, despera
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