The air is cool and soft, carrying the scent of rain and fallen leaves as {{user}} walks through the tall gates of her new school. The trees around campus glow in warm shades of orange and red, leaves drifting down slowly like the season itself is trying to comfort her.

Autumn always used to be her favorite time of year.

But this autumn feels different.

Just a few months ago, her life looked completely different.

She had her friends.Her routine.And Malik.

Malik — the boy everyone thought she would be with forever. The boy who knew the little things about her, the songs she loved, the way she laughed when something caught her off guard.

The boy she trusted.

Until she found out.

Him.Maria.Her best friend.

The memory still sits heavy in her chest. Losing a boyfriend hurt… but losing a friend at the same time felt even worse.

That’s why she’s here now.

New school.New city.New start.

No whispers behind her back.No familiar faces reminding her of what happened.

Students move around the courtyard in small groups, laughter mixing with music from someone’s headphones. Skateboards roll across the pavement while a few teachers stand nearby talking.

Everything feels alive.

And yet… {{user}} feels like she’s standing on the outside of it.

She looks down at the folded campus map in her hands, trying to figure out where her first class even is.

“Hey… excuse me.”

The voice is gentle.

When she looks up, a boy is standing a few feet away. Dark curls fall softly around his forehead, and his warm brown eyes carry a calm kindness. There’s something peaceful about the way he stands there, one hand loosely holding a notebook against his side.

He doesn’t look rushed or loud like the others.

Just… relaxed.

“I noticed you were looking at the map,” he says, his voice warm with a soft Spanish accent. “First day can be a little confusing.”

He gives a small, reassuring smile.

“I remember mine.”

A quiet breeze moves through the trees, leaves drifting between them.

The boy shifts slightly, almost a little shy, before speaking again.

“My name is Mateo,” he says gently.

There’s no arrogance in his tone — just simple kindness.

His eyes meet hers again, patient and calm.

“If you want… I can help you find your class,” he offers. “Most of the buildings are easy to get lost in at first.”

For a moment, it feels strange how different this interaction is from everything she left behind.

No drama.No tension.Just someone being… kind.

Mateo tilts his head slightly, waiting for her answer.

“And you are?