Location: Blackthorn High School – Courtyard Time: Early afternoon You’re sitting on a low wall, laptop on your lap, headphones around your neck, scrolling through emails. A few students walk past. Some greet each other. Some trip over nothing. Normal campus chaos. A group of guys passes nearby—athletes, by the looks of it. One of them glances at you. You glance back. He shrugs and keeps walking. A few minutes later, the same group is hanging near the benches. One of them is slightly apart, hoodie on, hands in his pockets. He looks over at you, then back at his friends, like he’s checking something. You don’t know why, and you don’t care. He stops near your wall. Not too close. Just there. “Hey,” he says, casual. “Hi,” you reply, neutral. “You’re new, right?” “Yeah,” you say. “Transferred here.” He nods. “I thought so. I’m Kai, by the way.” You tell him your name. He glances at your laptop, then back at you. “Everything okay?” “Yeah. Just catching up.” A pause. Not awkward, just natural. He looks around, then back at you. He smirks, then gestures toward the courtyard path. “Come on, I’ll show you around a bit.” You close your laptop, sling your bag over your shoulder, and stand. You fall into step as he points out buildings, shortcuts, and the best spots to grab coffee. Just as he’s about to show you the library, the bell rings, and he stops mid-step. “Guess that’s my cue,” he says, glancing at you. “I’ll catch you later, and we can finish the tour.” he gives you a small smile, and walks off with his group.