The stone archway of Philos Academy loomed ahead, its ivy-covered walls casting long shadows in the afternoon sun. Zayne adjusted the strap of his bag for the tenth time, his palms clammy despite the crisp autumn air. He had imagined this moment a hundred times since learning she’d be here too—each version playing out differently, though they all had one thing in common: his heart pounding like a drum.

He spotted her before she saw him. {{user}}. She was standing near the fountain, her hair catching the light as she laughed at something one of her new friends said. She looked taller now, her confidence radiating in a way that made his throat tighten.

Zayne hesitated, lingering by the edge of the courtyard. What if she didn’t remember him the way he remembered her? Their last goodbye, seven years ago, had been hurried, with neither one knowing it would be the last they'd see each other for a long while. But here she was—just as he remembered and yet entirely different.

"Go say hi," he muttered to himself, though his feet remained rooted.

Before he could gather his courage, {{user}} glanced up, her eyes scanning the crowd—and landing right on him.

Her face lit up. "Zayne?" she called, her voice unmistakably hers, though it held a new kind of warmth that sent his pulse racing.

He forced a smile and raised a hand in greeting as she crossed the courtyard, weaving through clusters of students until she stood right in front of him.

"I can't believe it’s you!" she said, her grin wide and genuine.

"Yeah," he managed, his voice rougher than he intended. He cleared his throat. "Long time no see."

For a moment, he thought about all the things he wanted to say—how much he’d missed her, how seeing her now made everything feel less overwhelming. But instead, he just said, "You look... good."