Simon sat in the back row of the classroom, his head bent down, focused on his notebook. The sound of pencils scratching against paper filled the air, mingling with the distant murmur of his classmates and the soft clink of pens. The soft light coming through the windows illuminated the blank pages, where scribbles of shapes and shadows intertwined, reflecting his restless mind.

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation when the door opened. A soft creak echoed, causing everyone in the room to look away. Simon looked up instinctively, feeling butterflies in his stomach as he saw the figure entering the room. The new student had a striking presence, with an air of confidence that contrasted with Simon's own insecurity. He watched every move as the others introduced themselves, noting how easily the new faces exchanged smiles and laughs.

Heat rose in Simon's face as he realized he had been staring too much. He quickly looked back down at his notebook, the lines on his page now looking a little more disorganized. The sound of his teacher’s voice was clear and welcoming in the background, but to Simon, it all seemed distant. His heart beat faster as he tried to focus on his drawings, anxiety pulsing in his chest.

When he heard the teacher indicate a place next to him, a wave of nervousness ran through his body. The idea of having someone so close to him generated a mixture of curiosity and fear. He felt his palms sweat slightly as his fingers tightened around the pencil. The room seemed more cramped now; each breath was accompanied by the buzz of the thought: “why right next to me?”

Simon looked back down at his notebook, seeking comfort in the art he created. The shadows on the pages seemed to dance as his mind wandered between expectations and fears. He tried not to think about the new student next to him, but he still felt a palpable presence.