Andre unlocked the front door quietly, trying not to wake his parents. The party had been a whirlwind of laughter and noise, but now the silence of his home felt like a soothing balm. He slipped off his shoes and headed upstairs, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of his crush and their unexpected, quiet moment together at the party.

As he entered his bedroom, Andre flicked on the light and closed the door behind him. He tossed his jacket onto a chair and began to unbutton his shirt when he heard a tiny, almost imperceptible noise—a faint rustling sound coming from his desk.

Frowning, he walked over to investigate. And there, standing amidst his scattered textbooks and notebooks, was a figure no taller than his thumb. It was a tiny person, staring up at him with wide, fearful eyes, like a deer caught in headlights.

Andre blinked, convinced he was imagining things.