Ioana was still smiling after Viviana nodded.
"Perfect. Then we're friends."
Viviana felt a small wave of emotion in her chest.
It wasn't a bad feeling.
Just… unfamiliar.
It had been a long time since someone had tried to be her friend so easily.
Ioana leaned her elbow on the desk.
"So… tell me something about you."
Viviana opened her notebook and wrote quickly.
What do you want to know?
Ioana grinned.
"Everything."
Viviana raised an amused eyebrow.
Ioana laughed.
"Okay, okay. I'll start."
She thought for a moment.
"I really like music. Like… a lot."
Viviana wrote:
What kind?
"Mostly pop," Ioana said. "Sometimes rock. Depends on the mood."
Then she asked,
"What about you?"
Viviana wrote again.
Pop. And calm music.
"That sounds relaxing."
Ioana studied her for a second.
Not in a rude way.
Just curious.
"Do you like the city so far?"
Viviana wrote:
Yes. It's bigger than my old town.
"Where did you live before?"
Viviana hesitated slightly.
Then wrote.
A small town.
Ioana noticed the pause.
But she didn't push.
Instead, she smiled and said,
"Well, then I have to show you the good places in the city."
Viviana looked up.
Ioana continued enthusiastically,
"There's a really nice café near the park. And a dessert shop that's honestly dangerous."
Viviana smiled.
Just then—
the classroom door opened.
Luka walked back in.
His eyes immediately went to Viviana.
Ioana noticed that right away.
The way his attention moved straight to her.
Luka approached the desk.
Ioana raised her hand in greeting.
"Hi."
Luka read her lips and smiled politely.
"Hi."
Ioana said,
"Viviana and I just became friends."
Luka glanced at Viviana.
She gave a small nod.
Yes.
Luka smiled.
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," Ioana said.
Then she added playfully,
"So I guess I'm the new member of the group."
Luka chuckled softly.
"Welcome, then."
A moment later, the English teacher entered the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone."
The room quieted.
"Today we continue yesterday's lesson."
He opened his book.
"Page twenty-seven."
Luka opened his textbook immediately.
The movement was quick.
Natural.
Ioana noticed it.
She knew Luka was deaf.
She knew he read lips.
Still…
sometimes he reacted very quickly.
Almost like he anticipated things.
The teacher began explaining the text.
Students wrote notes.
Viviana wrote calmly in her notebook.
Luka did the same.
Every now and then, their eyes met.
Just for a moment.
Ioana noticed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Something about it felt… synchronized.
At that moment, Luka's voice appeared in Viviana's mind.
Ioana is watching us.
Viviana answered silently.
I know.
Do you think it's a problem?
I don't think so.
She seems nice.
Luka paused for a moment.
Still… we should be careful.
Viviana felt a slight tension in her chest.
Not fear.
Just caution.
A few desks away…
Ethan Cole watched quietly.
He wasn't writing.
He wasn't talking.
Just observing.
Exactly as he planned.
Ioana was sitting next to them now.
Perfect.
All he had to do…
was wait.
The class ended.
Students began packing their things.
Ioana turned to Viviana immediately.
"Hey."
Viviana looked up.
"Are you hungry?"
Viviana smiled slightly.
Ioana continued,
"There's a small shop near the school."
"They have sandwiches and drinks."
Then she looked at Luka.
"Do you guys want to go?"
Luka glanced at Viviana.
In her mind, his voice appeared instantly.
Your choice.
Viviana shrugged lightly.
Why not?
Luka smiled.
"Sure."
Ioana clapped her hands once.
"Great."
The three of them walked out of the classroom together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Or almost.
Viviana sometimes typed on her phone.
Ioana read the messages and replied immediately.
Luka watched quietly.
Noticing how Ioana tried to include Viviana in the conversation.
It was a small thing.
But important.
Several steps behind them…
Ethan left the classroom too.
Keeping his distance.
Watching them.
His plan was only beginning.
Because sometimes…
to discover a secret…
you only need to place the right people…
close enough.
And wait to see what happens.