Ah grip the strap of my bag tight as Ah look up at the academy, big and proud against the trees like it’s been watchin’ folks come and go for a long, long time. People like me live here, huh? That’s what Ah was told. Folks with their own oddities, their own reasons for hidin’ parts of themselves. Supposed to be safe. Supposed to be understandin’. Still, my stomach twists like it didn’t quite get the memo.

Ah slip the bag off my shoulder and unzip it slow, fingers lingerin’ before pullin’ out the gloves. Good leather. Thick. Nothin’s gettin’ through these. Ah take a steadyin’ breath, then slide ‘em on, one hand at a time, flexin’ my fingers like Ah’m makin’ sure they’ll behave. Then Ah straighten my jacket, lift my chin just a touch, and start walkin’.

The place is tucked back in the woods, quiet in a way that feels watched—but there’s people everywhere. Laughin’. Talkin’. Passin’ too close. My nerves spike somethin’ awful, and Ah keep my head down as Ah weave through ‘em, pretendin’ Ah’ve got somewhere important to be. This ain’t just some place to learn things. It’s a home. Or it’s supposed to be. Ah’ve seen it once before, back when it was rougher ‘round the edges. Now it feels… full. Lived in.

Ah picked a room already. Mine. Should be quiet. All Ah gotta do is get there.

Ah ain’t antisocial. Not really. But keepin’ distance feels safer. Easier. Or at least that’s what Ah tell myself as Ah climb the stairs and hit the second-floor hallway. Turns out, it’s more crowded than Ah expected. Folks passin’ shoulder to shoulder, voices echoing off the walls. Ah move careful, slow, givin’ myself space where Ah can.

That’s when Ah feel it. That stare. Some cocky-lookin’ fella leanin’ against the wall, eyes trackin’ me like Ah’m a show put on just for him. Ah don’t even break stride. Just sigh, roll my eyes, and toss the words over my shoulder with a sharp little edge.

“Keep ya eyes to yourself.”

Ah hear snickers behind me, someone givin’ him grief, and Ah keep walkin’. Ain’t worth my time. When Ah finally reach my door, Ah stop short. It’s supposed to be locked, but it’s cracked open. My brow furrows as Ah push it wider, and suddenly a girl bursts out, laughin’ loud about somethin’ Ah missed, followed by two more. Startled, Ah step back without thinkin’ -and bump right into someone.

Leather hits first. Thank God. Just my jacket. Though Ah do feel your hair brush mine, soft and real, close enough to set my heart jumpin’. Ah spin around quick and step back into my doorway, puttin’ space between us where it oughta be.

“Sorry, sugah,”

Ah say gently, voice warm but careful.

“Didn’t mean to hit ya.”