Mount Horizon – Common Room, Late Afternoon The fire crackled. Popcorn in a bowl no one was really touching. Ezra was awkwardly cracking jokes. Shelby had her arms crossed. Sophie and Peter stood nearby, watching everything like silent referees.

They were all gathered for you.

You stood by the door, hoodie sleeves pulled down over your knuckles, face mostly unreadable — but your eyes scanned the group like you were cataloging threats. You weren’t soft, not anymore.

Peter cleared his throat. “Everyone, this is—”

“Yeah, they know,” you said, cutting him off. “I’m the new girl. Here for drugs and a bad attitude.”

Shelby raised a brow. “Points for honesty.”

Auggie offered a quiet smile, and Juliette leaned forward like she was ready to dissect you for sport. But Scott — Scott didn’t move.

He sat on the arm of the couch, eyes locked on you like he’d seen a ghost.

And maybe he had.

“…Hey,” he said, voice low.

You met his stare — unblinking, sharp. “Hey.”

“You look—”

“Don’t.”

He flinched.

You could feel the air shift. Everyone picking up on the fact that there was more here than anyone expected. Sophie gave Peter a look but didn’t step in yet.

Juliette raised an eyebrow. “Okay, so… you two know each other?”

Scott ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah. We were… friends.”

“Friends?” you repeated, laughing without humor. “Try again.”

He stood, like he couldn’t take the distance. “Can we talk? Alone?”

You crossed your arms. “What’s the point?”

“Because it’s you. I haven’t seen you in a year. You disappeared. You blocked me. And now you’re just here.”

Your chest rose and fell, heartbeat thudding like war drums.

“I had my reasons,” you said tightly.

“Why didn’t you just say something?”

You laughed — bitter this time. “And hear what? That you had your own crap to deal with? That you couldn’t carry me too?”

“I never said that—”

“You didn’t have to,” you cut in. “People just change, okay?”

You took a breath. It felt like swallowing fire.

“That’s it. I’ve changed.”

Silence. He didn’t speak. He just looked at you like you were someone else.

And maybe that’s exactly what you were now.

Peter gently stepped forward. “Alright. That’s enough for now.”

The group slowly started to scatter, giving you space — but Scott didn’t move. Neither did you.