Unbeknownst Eye Contact

The third-floor hallway of Maplewood High School streched endlessly before Tao, each step synchronised with the muffled beat of the music coursing through his earphones. The hood of his jacket casting a shadow over his intence gaze, fixed on glowing screen of phone. Fingers sliding on the glass of phone, resonating with steps he took and beat of the music.

It was a typical Tuesday afternoon, marked by the monotony of High School. Tao having his solitude walk through hallway, oblivious to the world around him, navigating the stream of students, enjoying each beat of music until, a distant echoes of excitement penetrated Tao's solitary world. A cacophony of cheers and jaunty voices broke the walls of Tao's ears, shrinking inside, compelling him to lift his gaze and peer over the railing that overlooked the first-floor basketball court.

The scenery below was a burst of energy and colours. Spirited girls harmonized in joyful chaos, their declarations of admiration echoing through the air for a figure who had captured their attention. The object of their fervor was Ray, the charismatic athlete, who stood at the center of the spectacle, a basketball in hand.

Ray's movements were a choreography of confidence as he aimed for the hoop. The swish of the ball passing through the net triggered a surge of cheers from the crowd. The victory celebration unfolded, and Ray, bathed in the glow of admiration, looked up towards the sea of faces.

Caught in the midst of this unexpected spectacle, Tao found himself drawn into the atmosphere. The basketball court transformed into a stage, and Ray, the unwitting performer, held the spotlight. The spectacle played out like a vibrant composition, each cheer and gesture contributing to the lively symphony.

Tao's eyes, initially shielded by the hood, observed with a subtle curiosity. The dynamic energy of the scene below infiltrated his solitary world, and for a moment, the corridor on the third floor felt a little less isolated.

As the pupils were engrossed in the winding victory and cheers: Tao's eyes remained fixed on Ray - a distant participant in a celebration he hadn't anticipated. In this brief interlude, the unseen observer became part of the unscripted drama. The eyes of Ray's also lingered the ocean inside Tao's eyes. They both shared a electric and strong eye contact.

Unbeknownst to Tao, his hidden world of music and solitude had become entangled with the vivacity of the basketball court. The beats in his earphones harmonized with the cheers, creating an unexpected symphony that underscored the connection between Ray and himself.

In this fleeting moment, the ordinary corridors of Maplewood High School transformed into a canvas where the unspoken echoes of friendship and possibility reverberated. Tao, still cloaked in the anonymity of his hood, felt the stirrings of something ineffable—an uncharted melody that teased at the edges of his consciousness.

To be continued -