The first day at her new school felt strange—like stepping into a world both familiar and foreign. Being an idol in SH!N3, she was used to attention, but here, she could almost blend in. Almost.

Then she saw him.

Kiefer. Her heart skipped. She recognized him instantly—the way he leaned against the locker, the subtle curve of his smile. A fan would never miss it.

“Hi,” she called softly, trying to sound casual.

Kiefer’s head flicked toward her, but his eyes quickly slid away. He picked up his pace, clearly trying to avoid recognition.

Not one to give up, she stepped closer. “Kiefer?”

He froze, then shook his head, pretending not to know her, eyes glued to his phone.

She smiled, a little amused. “Always so mysterious.” She jogged to fall beside him. “I promise I won’t fangirl. We’re in the same company—SH!N3.”

He finally looked at her, a flash of recognition in his eyes, mixed with annoyance. “Okay,” he said slowly, still cautious. “But don’t make it weird.”

“I won’t—well, not too much,” she teased, grinning.

For the first time, he relaxed just a little, and the hallways didn’t feel so ordinary anymore. Something had shifted between them, charged with a secret only they shared.