Sunlight slipped through the thin curtains of Viviana's room, painting soft golden lines across the floor.
For a few seconds, she stayed lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Everything was calm.
Too calm.
Then she remembered.
Last night.
The city lights.
The park.
The kiss.
Luka.
A small smile appeared on her face before she could stop it.
In her chest, that familiar feeling appeared again — a quiet warmth.
Good morning.
Luka's voice appeared in her mind.
Clear.
Calm.
Present.
Viviana turned her head toward the window and smiled wider.
Good morning, she replied in her thoughts.
It still felt unbelievable that it worked.
That someone could hear her.
After all that silence.
Did you sleep well? Luka asked.
Yes.
She paused.
You?
I stayed awake for a while.
Why?
The answer came a second later.
Because I was thinking about you.
Viviana's heart beat a little faster.
She still wasn't used to this.
To how direct he could be.
After a few minutes, she got out of bed.
The sky was beautiful.
A light blue, almost perfect.
The city was slowly beginning to wake up.
Viviana tied half of her hair into a braid, letting the rest fall freely over her shoulders.
Then she went downstairs to the kitchen.
Her mother and father were already there.
Her mother was making coffee.
Her father was reading the news on his phone.
"Good morning," her mother said.
Viviana smiled and raised her hand in a small greeting.
"How is school so far?" her mother asked.
Viviana took out her phone and quickly typed.
"I got 10 in math, English, and biology. 9 in French."
Her mother blinked in surprise.
"Wow."
Then she smiled widely.
"Good job! That's my girl."
Viviana felt a small wave of pride.
Not because of the grades.
Because, finally, things were starting to feel… normal.
Her mother said,
"I'm going to the store after work. Do you want me to buy you something?"
Viviana thought for a moment.
Then she opened her phone gallery.
A few days earlier she had seen a dress in a shop window and taken a picture.
She showed the photo.
Her mother looked at the screen.
"Oh… it's very pretty."
Viviana smiled.
"I'll see if they still have it," her mother said.
Then she added,
"Have a good day at school."
When Viviana stepped outside the house, someone was already waiting.
Luka.
He was leaning against the fence.
When he saw her, he smiled slightly.
You came, he said in her mind.
I was waiting for you.
Viviana felt that warmth in her chest again.
I know.
They began walking to school together.
Their steps synchronized naturally.
Without trying.
Without speaking out loud.
You know… Luka said after a few minutes.
I like mornings.
Why?
Because it's quiet.
Viviana smiled.
For Luka, silence had once been a prison.
But with her…
it wasn't anymore.
At school, they sat down at their desk.
After a few minutes, Luka stood up.
"I'm going to the bathroom for a moment."
Viviana nodded.
When he left the classroom, someone approached the desk.
Ioana.
"Good morning, Viviana," she said.
Viviana wanted to respond.
But her throat tightened automatically.
That old reflex.
The fear.
She quickly took out her notebook and wrote.
"Hi."
Ioana noticed immediately.
"You can't speak, right?"
The words instantly brought back a memory.
Her old school.
Whispers.
Strange looks.
"She's always sad."
"It's awkward."
For a second, Viviana prepared herself for the same thing.
But Ioana raised her hands.
"Hey, I didn't mean that in a bad way."
She sat down next to her.
"I know you're new… and we don't really talk much in class."
She smiled.
"But I'd like us to be friends."
Viviana blinked in surprise.
Ioana continued,
"You don't have to speak. You can nod. Or write."
She pointed at the notebook.
"We can write messages during class. Or notes."
She laughed softly.
"It could actually be fun."
Then she asked directly,
"So… do you want to be friends?"
Viviana stayed still.
Because in her mind, Luka's voice appeared immediately.
What do you think?
I don't know, she answered in her thoughts.
I'm scared.
Why?
At my old school… people changed after I couldn't speak anymore.
Luka answered calmly.
Not all people are the same.
Viviana looked back at Ioana.
She really did seem sincere.
And maybe…
maybe it was time to try again.
Viviana smiled softly.
Then she nodded.
Yes.
Ioana smiled widely.
"Perfect. Then we're friends."