You’re sitting in the school courtyard when she drops into the seat beside you without saying anything at first. She’s got her usual messenger bag and that intense look on her face — the one she gets when something’s weighing on her.

After a second, she sighs.

“Can I just sit here and pretend the world isn’t falling apart for, like, five minutes?”

You raise an eyebrow. She gives you a tired half-smile.

“Also… hi.” Her voice softens. “You’re kind of the only person I actually want to talk to right now.”

She looks at you, then looks away just as quickly — cheeks a little flushed.