Chapter 27: The Hallway Glance

Walking through the double doors of Cortis High School on Wednesday morning usually felt like enduring an endless, monotonous slog of shrill bell rings and tedious algebra equations, but today the crowded hallways hummed with a thrilling, hidden secret that only the two of them shared. When Lily stepped into the main corridor near the gymnasium, she immediately caught sight of James leaning casually against his metal locker, talking animatedly with the varsity football team. The moment he spotted her coming down the corridor, his entire expression softened, cutting through the chatter of the crowded hallway with a private look meant for her alone.