**New Beginnings**

Charlie Spring sat in his A-level English class, staring blankly at the whiteboard as Mrs. Proudfoot droned on about Shakespearean sonnets. His mind wandered to the stack of ungraded homework on his desk, the looming exam season, and the general feeling of being overwhelmed that had been suffocating him for weeks. Anxiety had become an unwelcome companion, one that Charlie couldn't shake no matter how hard he tried. As he scribbled some half-hearted notes, his gaze drifted to the back of the classroom, where Nick Nelson sat, his dark hair messy and his eyes fixed intently on the teacher. Charlie's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks. It was a familiar sensation, one he'd grown accustomed to over the past year. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to talk to Nick outside of their school project group. The classroom door swung open, and Tori Ashby walked in, her bright pink hair clips a beacon of color in the drab room. Charlie smiled in greeting, and Tori flashed him a warm smile in return. She and Elle Argent were already preparing for their upcoming exams, poring over revision notes and quizzing each other during lunch. Charlie admired their focus and dedication; he wished he could be more like them. As the lesson drew to a close, Charlie gathered his things and fell into step beside Nick in the corridor. "Hey, did you get that email from Mrs. Proudfoot about the coursework deadline?" Charlie asked, trying to sound casual. Nick nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, I got it. I've already started working on it. What about you?" Charlie shrugged, feeling a twinge of panic. "I don't know... I'm really struggling to get started." Nick clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, mate. We can work on it together. I'm sure we'll get it done." Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of their friends calling out to them from the courtyard. Charlie grinned at Nick and set off towards the noise, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. For now, at least, he could push his anxiety to one side and just enjoy the company of his friends. As they walked, Charlie found himself stealing glances at Nick, who was chatting easily with Tori and Elle. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy; Nick seemed so confident, so at ease with himself. Charlie, on the other hand, felt like he was still figuring things out. The group decided to grab some lunch at the café down the road. Charlie walked alongside Nick, listening to his friends' chatter and feeling grateful for their support. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope that he might just be able to get through this year after all. As they waited in line, Charlie caught Nick's eye and smiled. Nick smiled back, and for a moment, Charlie felt like everything was going to be okay. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.