The porch steps creaked under your feet as you followed Wybie across the yard, the breeze tugging at your sleeves. The Pink Palace loomed above, its old wooden frame groaning in the wind like it was stretching after a long nap.

“Coraline!” Wybie called out, waving a hand. “Hey! I brought someone new for you to bother.”

You spotted her near the garden, crouched low, poking at the dirt with a stick. She looked up at the sound of her name, squinting before standing and brushing off her knees.

“Gee, thanks, Wybie,” she said, walking over with a smirk. Her blue hair was slightly frizzy from the damp air. “That’s the warmest welcome I’ve ever had.”

“This is {{user}},” Wybie said. “Just moved in a couple days ago. Lives in the unit above Miss Spink and Miss Forcible.”

Coraline looked you over quickly but not unkindly. “Huh. Another kid. That’s rare.”

You gave a small smile. “Yeah. Guess we’re a rare species around here.”

Wybie’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, frowned, and groaned. “Ugh. My grandma needs me to come back inside. Something about fixing the fuse box. Or holding a flashlight while she does it.”

Coraline raised an eyebrow. “Wow. The highlight of your day, I’m sure.”

He started backing toward the door. “You two’ll be fine! Try not to maim each other.”

Then he was gone, the screen door clapping shut behind him.

And just like that, you and Coraline were alone.

An awkward pause hung in the air. She kicked at a pebble with her boot and crossed her arms. “He’s weird. You get used to it.”

You nodded slowly. “Yeah. I kind of like it, though. The weird.”

Coraline glanced at you, a flicker of approval in her eyes. “Me too.”