FIRST MEET

Third Party POV: 

The corridors of Venus Junior High School echoed with the chatter of students bustling between classes. Among them, Noelle found herself navigating through the sea of adolescents, her eyes scanning for a familiar face. She was the quintessential third wheel, often accompanying her best friend, Sarah, and her boyfriend, Adam to school. 

As Noelle rounded a corner, she spotted Sarah leaning against a row of lockers, her burgundy hair catching the sunlight streaming through the windows. Beside her stood Adam, his arm wrapped around her waist possessively. Noelle approached with a casual smile, falling into step beside them. 

"Morning, guys," Noelle greeted, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity laced with a tinge of longing. 

"Hey, Noelle!" Sarah chirped, her emerald eyes sparkling with warmth. "Ready for another thrilling day of geometry?" 

Noelle chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "Thrilling might be a stretch, but I'll survive." 

Adam clapped Noelle on the shoulder, a grin spreading across his face. "Hang in there, buddy. We'll get through it together." 

As they made their way to their first class, Noelle couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider looking in. Despite their genuine friendship, there was an invisible barrier between her and the couple—a barrier constructed of inside jokes, shared experiences, and whispered confidences. 

Throughout the day, Noelle found herself drifting in and out of conversations, her mind wandering to thoughts of her own. She wondered what it would be like to have someone to share those moments with, someone who truly understood her beyond the confines of friendship. 

In the evening when going home, Noelle thought it would just be usual boring third wheeling until a young lad in school uniform joined the trio. 

"Hey there young lady, you won't be feeling bored third wheeling these two from now on." He said. 

"And how?" Noelle found herself attracted to the young lad full of energy. 

"Cause I'll be joining you. Hi, I'm Derek." Derek said raising his hand for a handshake. 

"Noelle."