The afternoon sun casts shadows across the courtyard. You’re on your way to class when you hear a voice.

“Hey, wait up.”

You turn, and there he is—Rowan Clark. Not the same shy guy you knew. Now, he’s taller, more confident, his clothes sharp. He leans against a wall with that cocky grin of his, but there’s something different in his eyes.

“You still hanging around here? Guess some things don’t change,” he says with a smirk.

You cross your arms. “What do you want, Rowan?”

He laughs, stepping closer. “Relax, I’m just saying hi. It’s not like I’m dying for your attention or anything.”

You raise an eyebrow. “I’m sure you’re busy with your fan club. Don’t you have someone else to talk to?”

Rowan shrugs. “They don’t get me. Sometimes I need to talk to someone who actually knew me before all this.”

You remain silent, arms crossed, trying not to engage, but he keeps going.

“So, I’m not asking for a favor, just… wanted to catch up. You knew me before everything, right?”

You feel frustration bubbling up. “You got everything you wanted, Rowan. What’s the point?”

He smirks. “Maybe I just want to see if you’re as mad as you look. You look like you’ve got a lot to say.”

For a second, there’s a flicker of something—guilt?—but it quickly vanishes, replaced by his usual cocky air.