[RESUME AFTER CLASS]
★–[After Class | Streets near the Mall | 4:45 PM]–★
The sun dipped lower, casting golden light on the sidewalks. Students roamed the streets, some heading to cafés, others window shopping.
Selena walked briskly, her bag slung over one shoulder.
Selena (muttering to herself):
"That idiot… always bumping into me on purpose. Ugh."
She crossed her arms, her brow furrowed.
"Maybe he likes me?" (She scoffed.) "As if he'd ever have a chance."
She paused by a fruit stand and counted on her fingers.
"One… two… he bumped into me twice. Tss. Seriously?"
She rolled her eyes and kept walking, though a faint blush betrayed her irritation.
__
Inside the moving car, Jacob leaned against the window, the golden hour casting a glow on his thoughtful face. The streets of Rome bustled with life—vendors closing up, children playing, and cars honking in the distance.
But Jacob wasn't paying attention to any of it.
His gaze caught someone.
Selena.
She was walking ahead, earbuds in, arms crossed, lips pressed in a quiet pout.
He narrowed his eyes.
Her… again?
Then his mind drifted back to earlier—
**[Flash | Luce Veritas Gate | 7:31 AM]*
Her sharp gaze. That irritated voice. That moment their hands nearly touched.
Back in the car, Jacob blinked hard, grounding himself.
"That girl… there's something strange about her. Something I've seen before".
Giuseppe (driving): "You're awfully quiet, son. Thinking about someone?"
Jacob (snapping out of it): "Ah—no. Just… an assignment."
Giuseppe (teasing): "Assignment? You sure it's not about a girl?"
Jacob (chuckling): "Not even close."
They both laughed lightly, the car continuing its smooth ride under the golden sky.
---
★–[Cascina Della Luna, Rome|7:01 PM | De Gracias resident]--★
Mara (calling upstairs): "Selena! Selena! Come down, sweetheart—it's time for dinner!"
There was no reply.
Upstairs, Selena sat by her window, watching the outside world with empty eyes. Her room was silent except for the muffled sounds from the dining area below.
She muttered under her breath.
Selena (to herself):
"I don't even remember why I'm here... or who those people downstairs really are."
She stood slowly, peeked at the stairs—but didn't move.
---
[Down Stairs| 7:05 PM]
Richard sat quietly at the table, glancing toward the stairs with concern. Mara remained standing, anxiously wringing her hands.
Mara (voice shaking): "She doesn't even look at us like we're her parents anymore… I miss her, Richard. I miss our daughter."
Richard stood, walked over, and gently pulled her into a chair.
Richard (softly): "Me too. Every day."
"But we have to accept that she's still healing."
Mara (quiet tears): "How do we help someone who doesn't even remember us?"
Richard: "By not giving up."
They held hands, hearts aching in quiet togetherness.
(The night pass~~~~~. )
★–[Luce Veritas Academy | School Grounds |Morning| September 11,2030|9:20 AM]–★
The courtyard buzzed with chatter as students gathered in neat rows beneath the warm morning sun. Some still yawned. Others scrolled through their phones. But the energy shifted as a microphone cracked to life.
School President (beaming):
"Good morning, beautiful and handsome students of Luce Veritas!"
A few chuckles ripple through the crowd.
School President (teasing):
"Eh? What's this? You two over there holding hands already? I'm jealous!"
He laughs.
"Just kidding. Love wins, right?"
Laughter bursts from the students.
School President (clearing throat):
"Now, back to business! Today's big agenda—drumroll please..."
Student body: Brrrtttttt...
School President (grinning):
"A writing competition will officially begin soon! Those who want to compete—whether you're a poet, a novelist, or just someone with a lot of feelings—head to the secretary's office and speak with Mrs. Clara Rossi to register."
Murmurs stir through the crowd.
School President:
"That's all for now. Your instructors will share more details in class. Good luck—
And hey… don't be afraid to show the world what your pen can do!"
He flashes a wink and steps away from the mic.
---
The crowd began to disperse, students chatting as they headed back toward their classrooms.
Selena stood still for a moment near the back, arms crossed, her eyes quietly observing one person.
Selena (thinking, staring at Jacob):
Why is he standing like that? Tch. Weird.
Jacob turned his head—caught her.
Their eyes met.
Selena's expression froze.
She quickly rolled her eyes and turned away, walking off with her usual confident stride.
Jacob, still standing, watched her leave.
Jacob (smirking, under his breath):
"Just a creepy lady."
He slipped his hands into his pockets and followed the rest of the students inside, still half-smiling.
---
[CHAPTER 6 END]