Two days had passed since Daryl had stepped in to protect Polaris, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a fragile sense of normalcy. Her classes went smoothly, and even the whispers of her classmates seemed less harsh. The nickname “Jo” had started to stick, bringing with it an unexpected camaraderie, especially with Daryl’s antics lightening her mood.But that fragile peace shattered when the office attendant called her name over the intercom during lunch. “Polaris Lane, please report to the guidance office immediately.”Panic washed over her. What could they want? As she made her way to the office, her mind raced with possibilities. Had someone complained about her? Was it about the incident with the boys? She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.Entering the guidance office, she was met by the stern gaze of Mr. Richards, the school counselor. He gestured for her to sit as the air in the room grew thick with tension.“Polaris, we have some serious matters to
Polaris parked herself at her usual table in the library, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and scattered notes. The air was thick with the smell of old pages and a touch of anxiety that clung to her like a second skin. She tried to dive into her study materials, but Sebastian’s face kept flashing in her mind, that smug smile making her stomach twist.“Ugh, why do I let him bother me so much?” she whispered to herself, tapping her pencil against the table. It was supposed to be a quiet place to focus, yet every time she turned a page, all she could think about was his mocking tone.After a frustrating half hour, she slammed her textbook shut. It wasn’t working. The stress of the day hung over her, heavy and suffocating. She took a few deep breaths, trying to clear her head. The plan to report Sebastian to Mr. Kyoto had formed in her mind during lunch. It wasn’t just about getting back at him; it was about standing up for herself and making sure he knew that his actions had consequence
The next morning dawned with a crispness in the air, an invitation to breathe deeply and embrace the day. Polaris felt a nervous flutter in her stomach as she walked to school. Today would be different. She had a purpose now—a mission to reclaim her narrative through her art.As she arrived at school, she noticed the usual buzz of students moving from one class to another. The laughter and chatter felt distant, like a sound track playing beneath her own thoughts. When she entered the art room, she felt a rush of relief. This was her sanctuary, a space where she could express herself without judgment.“Hey, Polaris! You okay?” Lisa, her friend, called out, breaking her reverie.“Yeah, just… thinking,” she replied, forcing a smile as she set her bag down.“Want to work on our project together?” Lisa suggested, glancing at the easels set up along the wall.“Sure! Let’s do it,” Polaris agreed, though her mind was still swirling with thoughts of Sebastian and her recent decision to speak o
After the art exhibit, Polaris felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. She had proven to herself that she could stand up for what mattered to her and face her insecurities head-on. But as the excitement of the event faded, a new set of challenges lay ahead.The next morning, Polaris sat in her room, staring at her planner. The deadlines for her schoolwork loomed over her, and although she had made progress in one area of her life, she still had so much to do. Her art had become a way to escape, but now, it was time to refocus on the academic side.She picked up her phone and checked her messages. There was one from Mr. Kyoto:“Polaris, congratulations again on last night! Just wanted to remind you that the final project for class is coming up. You’ve done amazing work so far, but don’t let the deadlines sneak up on you. Let me know if you need any help or advice!”Polaris smiled. Mr. Kyoto had always been supportive, pushing her when she needed it but never in an overbearing way. His
William stood by the window of his small apartment, the city skyline stretching before him, illuminated by the evening glow. He watched as the bustling streets filled with people, their lives intertwining in a web of ambitions and dreams. Yet, despite the vibrancy outside, he felt a heaviness in his chest. The art exhibit had stirred something within him—an urgency he couldn’t quite pinpoint.His phone buzzed on the table, breaking him from his thoughts. It was a text from Polaris:“I’m in for the internship! Just wanted to let you know.”A smile crept across his face. Polaris had always been a source of inspiration for him, pushing the boundaries of her creativity despite the challenges she faced. He had witnessed her struggle, her triumphs, and the way she had fought against the insecurities that threatened to hold her back.William replied quickly: “That’s amazing, Pol! I knew you could do it. Let’s celebrate later!”He put his phone down and turned back to the window, his reflecti
The following week unfolded in a blur of activity for William and Polaris. As the days passed, excitement buzzed in the air, punctuated by the anticipation of new opportunities and challenges. The art scene was alive with energy, and William felt a renewed sense of purpose guiding him through his work.On a rainy Thursday evening, William stood in front of his easel, the canvas before him bare and waiting. He had spent the day conceptualizing a piece for an upcoming local exhibit, his mind racing with ideas. Yet, despite the creative fervor, he felt an itch of uncertainty creeping in again. He put his brush down and took a step back, sighing as he raked a hand through his hair.“Need a break?” Polaris’s voice broke through his thoughts, her presence a comforting balm in the quiet of his studio.“Maybe,” William replied, glancing at her. She had just finished a successful day at her internship, and the glow of accomplishment radiated from her. “I just can’t seem to find my footing toni
Polaris sat in her classroom, surrounded by a sea of students who were all chattering excitedly about their upcoming projects. The atmosphere was a blend of anticipation and nervous energy, and she felt the pressure mounting as her mind raced with ideas. Today was the day she had to present her project proposal for the final assessment in her advanced art class, and she was determined to make it memorable.The topic she had chosen was inspired by her recent experiences with William and the transformative power of art. She wanted to explore the theme of identity and self-expression through mixed media, incorporating various materials to represent the layers of personality and the struggles of self-discovery. It was personal, yet universal—a reflection of her own journey as an artist and a person.As she prepared her notes, she glanced around the room. Her classmates were engrossed in their own conversations, and she could feel the weight of expectation in the air. Polaris took a deep b
The next afternoon, Polaris arrived at the café where she had arranged to meet William, her heart fluttering with anticipation. The cozy atmosphere was a perfect backdrop for their conversation—a place filled with the rich aroma of coffee and the soft murmur of patrons engaged in their own worlds.As she stepped inside, her eyes quickly found him seated at a corner table, a sketchbook open in front of him. William was immersed in his drawings, his brow slightly furrowed in concentration. She felt a rush of warmth seeing him like this, completely absorbed in his art.“Hey!” she called out as she approached, a smile breaking across her face.William looked up, and his expression brightened instantly. “Polaris! You made it.” He closed his sketchbook, setting it aside as she slid into the chair across from him.“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it.” She leaned in, eager to share her excitement. “I can’t wait to tell you about my presentation. It went really well!”“That’s awesome! Tell me every
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