Chapter 1: The Unexpected Pairing

Episode 1: The Pairing

Anifah walked into class, her mind already racing through the day's to-do list. As the student council president, they were used to being in control. But today was different. Mrs. Jacobs, with a grin on her face, made an announcement that would alter the course of the next few weeks.

“Alright, class. For your next project, you’ll be paired up to create a website for the school’s literary magazine. And, Anifah, you’ll be working with Ammar.”

Anifah's heart skipped a beat. She glanced over at Ammar, who was seated in the back corner of the room, the epitome of quiet. The new transfer student, barely a blip on Anifah’s radar. A creative type, probably. The last person they would’ve expected to work with.

But Anifah, ever the professional, masked her discomfort with a practiced smile. “Looks like we’re partners,” she said, approaching Ammar’s desk with a nonchalant air, though inwardly, they were unsure of what to make of this unexpected pairing.

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Episode 2: The First Meeting

After the bell rang, Anifah walked over to Ammar, who was gathering his things. There was an awkward silence as they sat across from each other at the back of the library. Anifah, trying to get the ball rolling, broke the silence. “So, what do you think about the project? I can handle the tech stuff—coding, design—but we’ll need content. Got any ideas?”

Ammar looked up at them, his expression thoughtful. "I was thinking of focusing on personal stories—poems or short pieces by the students. Something more... human," he said quietly, his eyes glancing down at his notebook.

Anifah blinked, surprised. She hadn’t expected something so... creative. “Poems? You think that would fit with a tech project?” Anifah replied, half-doubtful but intrigued. She was used to seeing the world in ones and zeroes, not metaphors and emotions.

Ammar gave a small nod. “I think it could. There’s more to a website than just its design. If we make it personal, maybe people will actually engage with it.”

Anifah was quiet for a moment, considering. It was an unconventional approach, but... maybe it could work. They nodded, leaning forward. “Alright, let’s give it a shot.”

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Episode 3: The Library Session

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The next day, they met again in the library. Anifah had her laptop open, fingers poised above the keyboard, ready to dive into the technical aspects of the website. Ammar sat across from them, scribbling ideas for potential articles and poems on a sheet of paper.

“Okay, we need to think about the layout,” Anifah said, their voice more confident now. “I was thinking of a minimalist design, clean lines, something that keeps the focus on the content. What do you think?”

Ammar paused, tapping his pen against his notebook. “I agree on clean lines, but I think we should add a personal touch. Maybe illustrations or photos from the students? It could make the site feel more... intimate.”

Anifah blinked, looking at Ammar with newfound respect. “Not bad,” they muttered, surprised by how well their ideas were aligning. They were fast, practical, and focused on results—but Ammar was making them see the project from a new angle, something more meaningful and human.

As the hours passed, the awkwardness between them began to dissipate. Anifah found herself opening up, sharing her dreams of studying computer science at a top university. Ammar, though quieter, shared his passion for writing and the stories that inspired him. In that moment, they realized they weren’t so different after all. They both wanted to make something meaningful—something that would leave an impact. 

Episode 4: The First Doubt

The days after their first library meeting passed quickly, and Anifah began to feel a strange pull toward Ammar. It wasn’t just the project anymore. There was something else—something in the way Ammar looked at the world with such calm and thoughtfulness that it made Anifah rethink their own fast-paced, result-oriented approach.

One afternoon, after school, Anifah lingered in the computer lab, fine-tuning the layout of the website. Ammar walked in quietly, his usual hesitant steps betraying his calm demeanor.

“I was thinking,” Ammar began, interrupting Anifah’s concentration, “maybe we should add a section for anonymous student submissions? Something where people can share their thoughts without feeling exposed.”

Anifah leaned back in their chair, the idea hanging in the air. It was bold, yet somehow... fitting. A safe space for students to express themselves. Anifah wasn’t sure how this would go over with their peers, especially the more critical ones.

“But what if it gets messy?” Anifah asked, half-joking, half-serious. “What if it turns into a ranting platform?”

Ammar shrugged, his calmness almost unnerving. “Then we moderate. But I think students need that space. We all need an outlet. Even you.”

Anifah blinked. Even me?

Before they could respond, a loud voice broke into the quiet of the room. "Hey, Anifah! You guys working on that website still?" It was Lila, Anifah’s closest friend and confidante, standing at the doorway with a smirk. Lila was always a little too curious about Anifah’s every move.

Anifah forced a smile. “Yeah, just brainstorming.”

Lila raised an eyebrow, eyeing Ammar curiously. “With... him?” she asked, her tone suggesting more than just a passing question.

Ammar didn’t react, his gaze fixed on the floor as if to avoid any unnecessary attention. Anifah felt a tightness in their chest. “What’s wrong with working with him?” They tried to sound casual, but the defensiveness in their voice surprised even them.

Lila didn’t seem phased, her smirk only widening. “Oh, nothing. Just wondering how you’ll get along with the quiet type. You’re usually not paired with the quiet types.”

Anifah clenched her fists slightly but forced a smile. “Well, we’re making it work. See you tomorrow.”

As Lila walked out, her words echoed in Anifah’s mind, but the awkward silence between them and Ammar was thick. Just as Anifah was about to comment, Ammar’s phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the quiet. He glanced at the screen but didn’t say a word.

Anifah raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?"

Ammar hesitated, his gaze flicking back to the phone. He quickly silenced it, tucking it into his pocket, his expression unreadable. "Yeah," he muttered. "Just... some stuff. We’ll talk more tomorrow."

Anifah opened her mouth to press further, but Ammar was already standing, grabbing his bag. He looked at Anifah, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of uncertainty. "I’ll... see you," he said quickly, before turning and walking out the door without another word.

The moment he left, Anifah felt the unease settle in. What was that about? The sudden tension, the secretive phone call—Anifah couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Ammar than he was letting on.

She sat back in the chair, mind racing, but before she could think more, another notification blinked on her phone. It was from Lila: “You sure he’s not hiding something? Just saying.”

Anifah stared at the message for a long time, wondering if her best friend was right... and if Ammar had more secrets than he was letting on.

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To be continued...