You sigh as you glance around the classroom, hoping today would be as uneventful as usual. That hope is shattered the moment the teacher announces, “Everyone, please welcome our new transfer student, Crystal Reed.”

Heads turn as she steps in. Crystal has this effortless grace, the kind that makes people notice her without even trying. Your stomach does a weird flip, and you quickly remind yourself: just be her guide. That’s it. Nothing more.

“Looks like you’ll be my guide for the day,” Crystal says, her voice smooth but carrying a playful edge. She smiles at you, and suddenly, you’re painfully aware of how much you like it.

“Uh… yeah. Right. I got you,” you stammer, trying to sound casual.

As you lead her through the school, showing her where everything is—from the cafeteria to the library—you notice her curiosity. She asks questions about everything, from class schedules to hidden shortcuts, and there’s a spark in her eyes that’s almost mischievous.

“You’ve been here long?” she asks casually as you walk down the hallway.

“Long enough. Not too long to know all the secrets, though,” you reply, trying to sound confident.

She laughs, a sound that makes your chest tighten. “I guess I’ll be counting on you then.”

Over the next few days, guiding Crystal becomes… more than just showing her around. You find yourself looking forward to your time together, secretly enjoying her teasing comments, and the way she seems genuinely interested in your thoughts.

One afternoon, you’re walking together after school when she suddenly stops and turns to you. “Thanks for showing me around today,” she says, her expression soft. “I don’t think I’d survive without my amazing guide.”

Your cheeks burn, but you grin. “Anytime. That’s what guides are for.”

She tilts her head, a sly smile forming. “Careful… I might start relying on you too much.”