Against all odds

ckers, searching for her friends. She had just finished a grueling

through the sea of students. Her bright smile and infect

ith a tall, handsome stranger. Apologetic, s

laimed, as they both bent to

warm smile. "No worries, I'm fine," Justin said,

irt, a stark contrast to the preppy attire of her classmates. The

ng," Anya said, feeling

t book. "Take care," he said, before

s mysterious stranger was and why she

o the crowd. She felt a spark, a connection that she couldn't explain. It was as if

n. She wondered what his story was, what brought him to Springd

at the locker. "Hey, girl! How was your math test?

encounter. "It was fine, I guess. I just...ran

yebrow. "Ran int

rise to her cheeks. "Just som

piqued. "Ooh, spill the

iends in the dark for long. "I'll tell you la

a sense of excitement and nervousness. She had a feeling that

centrate in class, her mind kept drifting back to Justin. She w

lessness. She couldn't shake off the feeling that her lif

kitchen, preparing dinner. Anya's dad, a universit

y?" her mom asked, as Anya dro

reveal too much just yet. "It

s, his eyes twinkling with inter

hare. "I just...met someone new toda

kled with curiosity

her parents in the dark for long. "Ju

k, Anya couldn't shake off the feeling that her li

ndering back to Justin. She wondered what he was doing at t

her math problems, Anya's phone buz

we need to find out more about t

l was always up for a challenge

t? But how do

esponse ca

l do some digging and

termination. She had a feeling that her friend w

re

stark contrast to the neat uniforms of the students milling about. He worked at th

activity around him. Students rushed to and fro, laughing and chatting with

nd. As he turned a corner, he collided with a gi

claimed, as they both bent to

es sparkling with amusement. "No worries, I'm fi

conversation. He felt a pang of regret, knowing he shouldn't be getting involved with anyone right

help but feel a spark of connection. He wondered if h

ing the encounter with Anya. He couldn't believe how beau

his mom. She had been struggling with illness for months now,

the outskirts of town. Justin's mom, Karen, was sitting on

as your day?" she as

icked up on his way home. "It was fine

r with worry. "I'm sorry, Justin. I

ring arm around her shoulders. "You're not a

a pang of frustration. He was working multiple jobs just to make ends meet,

sing on his mom's needs. "Hey, Mom

ghtening. "That sounds won

t cooking, he couldn't shake off the fe