𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒, True's grip tightened around the straps of his black Nike backpack.

He was exhausted and hated the fact that he still needed to get up for school and later go to work before finally getting some sleep.

Pushing the closed classroom door open, he ignored the multiple stares from his peers, his grip tightening further on the straps of his bag.

He hated when people's attention was on him.

"Mr. Azuni, you're late! Do you have a pass?"

Mrs. Smith's high-pitched voice rang through the room. Students who hadn't been paying him any mind now stopped their conversations and stared as the room fell silent.

I wish I could disappear, he thought, turning around to place the small piece of pink paper on the teacher's desk. It was a note signed by the front desk, required for students arriving late.

"You may find your seat," she hummed, briefly glancing at him before turning her attention back to her desktop.

Rolling his eyes, he quickly walked to the back row, silently thanking God that a seat was still available there.

Slouching into the chair, he pulled the backpack off his shoulders and placed it on the seat beside him. Taking out his notebook and pencil, he tapped his ballpoint pen against the blue notebook cover.

Leaning forward slightly, he squinted at the words projected onto the board.

This was why he hated the fact that he needed glasses.

"Can I sit here?" an oddly familiar voice asked.

He turned his head and immediately recognized her—the girl from the party.

Shrugging, he moved his bag off the seat next to him, allowing {{user}} to sit down.

His eyes lingered on her as she unzipped her black Jordan Monogram backpack. Her natural hair was styled into tight curls with a small ponytail in the center, falling to her ears. It wasn't the longest, but she loved her length. Her outfit was simple, but she elevated it with gold jewelry that complimented her (color) skin.

Her energy felt warm and sweet, and her scent matched—vanilla and coconut.