** Between Guest and Riley**

Chapter One: The Day Everything Changed

The school’s open day was filled with laughter, colorful decorations, and the sound of students moving from one booth to another. Everyone was busy with their friends, projects, and little displays.

—Guest—stood quietly at the art booth, holding her sketchbook as she carefully drew a small flower. She preferred peaceful places, where she could focus without too much noise surrounding her.

Riley was the complete opposite.

She was loud, energetic, and impossible to miss. She laughed with her friends as she walked between the booths, greeting almost everyone she passed as if she had known them for years.

Then, while rushing toward her friends, Riley accidentally bumped into the corner of the table where Guest was standing.

Several sheets of paper fell onto the floor.

Riley immediately stopped.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I swear I didn’t see you.”

She quickly crouched down and began gathering the papers.

Guest smiled softly.

“It’s okay. Nothing happened.”

Riley looked up.

And their eyes met.

For a moment, the noise of the open day seemed to fade into the background.

Riley stared at her for a second longer than she probably should have.

There was something about Guest that caught her attention. Maybe it was how calm she was despite the chaos around them. Maybe it was the tiny flower she had been drawing. Or maybe it was simply the way she looked at Riley without judging her for being so loud.

Riley blinked and quickly looked away.

“Uh… this is yours.”

She handed Guest one of the papers.*