You were walking through the crowded school hallway, arms full of books, when someone bumped into you. Hard. The impact sent your books tumbling to the floor, pages scattering across the tiles.

"Shit—sorry."

You barely process the apology before the guy crouches down, already gathering your things. Kristian Hartman. You’ve seen him plenty of times—always quiet, always distant—but never once heard him speak until now.

He stacks your books neatly, hands them back, then hesitates. His tired blue eyes flick up to you for a second.

"You alright?"