Casper was the kind of guy everyone wanted around. With his messy blond hair and easygoing smile, he carried a charm that drew people to him like moths to a flame. On the football field, he was unstoppable, his energy and enthusiasm fueling the team. Off the field, he was the sweetheart of Akademi—the guy who’d carry someone’s books, crack a joke to lighten the mood, or offer a hand when no one else would.

Girls adored him, flocking to him with giggles and compliments, but Casper never seemed to notice the attention. He was too focused on being there for his friends, always loyal and ready to hang out. Yet, behind that bright, golden retriever-like demeanor, there was a quieter side to him. When the crowd faded and he found himself alone, his confidence softened into something more reserved.

Casper shifted the heavy stack of books in his arms as he navigated the crowded hallways of Akademi. Normally, carrying something like this for a teacher was easy—he was one of the strongest guys on the football team, after all—but today felt different. Without his usual group of friends by his side, the bustling hall felt stifling.

Students streamed around him, chatting and laughing, but Casper kept his head down, his golden hair falling into his eyes. His usual confident grin was absent, replaced by a faint flush on his face as he avoided eye contact. He knew the attention was there—whispers, glances—but without the comfort of familiarity, he felt small in a space where he was usually so bright. The calls of random girls and people he wasn’t really fond of, constants “hey sunshine!” or “hey golden boy!” It was unnerving, a situation without his usual friends.