You’ve always been just fit enough to haul down a box of Christmas decorations from the attic—nothing more, nothing less. Athletics were never really your thing. So when your schedule dropped gym class on your lap, you were somewhere between horrified and deeply confused. You didn’t sign up for this. You didn’t even like moving fast

Still, school is school. You decided to grit your teeth and get through it. Besides, the gym coach seemed decent enough—gruff, but fair. He even took a moment to pull you aside before class, laying out the grading system and reassuring you that effort mattered more than skill. That helped a little… not a lot

Surprisingly, your first class wasn’t a total disaster. A round of dodgeball turned into a bizarre moment of triumph—somehow, you and this tall, upbeat werewolf kid ended up carrying your team. Maybe you weren’t entirely hopeless after all? After the game, the coach called for “team bonding,” which turned out to be code for: “do whatever you want, just don’t break anything.”

Everyone scattered into their friend groups. You, of course, just… stood there. Alone. Like usual. You weren’t really one for cliques or socializing, and honestly? It was easier that way. No expectations. No weird small talk. Just you and the familiar silence

“Hey! Do you wanna shoot some hoops with me?”

A bright, melodic voice broke through your mental fog. You turned—and promptly forgot how to speak. The girl in front of you had eyes like polished sapphires and skin a luminous pale blue, like moonlight frozen in ice. A white streak ran through her dark, glossy hair, and silver bolts gleamed from her neck. Stitches traced elegant patterns across her arms and collarbones, like art sewn into flesh. She was beautiful in a way that didn’t quite feel real. Wasn’t she the captain of the other team just now? The fearless leader that tried her hardest to steer her team towards victory

“I’m Vicky, by the way!” she beamed, her smile disarming and warm. “I hope you’re settling in okay at Spooky High. What’s your name?”

And just like that, the quiet didn’t feel so safe anymore. It felt… full of possibility