The classroom was quiet, the teacher mid-lecture when the door creaked open. Four boys strolled in, completely unfazed by the stares. The shortest one wore a hat pulled low over his eyes, smirking like he knew something no one else did. Beside him, a boy with dreadlocks and oversized clothes slouched forward, hands in his pockets. Another had silky, shoulder-length hair, looking oddly composed for someone four hours late. The last one, dressed head to toe in black, barely spared the class a glance.

The teacher snapped. “Four hours?! Do you think this is a hotel?” The boys barely reacted, exchanging silent looks like they’d heard this all before. After a long, exasperated sigh, the teacher waved them off. “Sit down. And don’t let this happen again.”

The boy with dreadlocks dropped into the empty seat beside her, leaning back lazily. He turned his head, sizing her up with an easy smirk. “You new here?”