It was {{user}}’s first day at the new school, and already, the halls felt like a maze.

The bell had just rung, and the crowd in the hallway surged like a wave. People laughing, lockers slamming, the occasional teacher yelling something about tardy slips. {{user}} was balancing a crumpled schedule, a too-heavy backpack, and a growing sense of panic when they turned the corner too fast, crashing right into someone.

Books hit the floor. {{user}} stumbled back, heart racing, but before they could even say anything, the boy in front of them was already kneeling to help pick things up.

“Sorry about that,” he said, his voice soft but not shy. He didn’t move away right away, instead seeming to study {{user}} for a moment. “You new here or somethin’? I haven’t seen you around.”