It was just another regular Monday at Meadowbrook Middle School—lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking on tile, and the low murmur of seventh and eighth graders talking about homework, crushes, or whatever drama happened over the weekend.

Jake and Madison weren’t the “it” couple. They weren’t the most followed, or the loudest, or even the type to be front and center in the yearbook. But in the middle of the busy hallway, there they were—two average eighth graders holding hands like it meant everything.

Madison, in her gray hoodie and pink Converse, had her brown hair pulled into a messy ponytail. Jake was wearing his usual graphic tee and jeans, his backpack slung low off one shoulder. Neither of them said much at first—just walked side by side, fingers interlocked, dodging students rushing past them.

“You think Mr. Daniels is gonna give us a pop quiz today?” Jake asked, glancing sideways.

Madison groaned. “He better not. I didn’t even do the reading. I was watching that show you told me about.”

Jake smiled. “You liked it?”

“I binged like, five episodes.”

They both laughed, and it wasn’t loud or attention-grabbing. Just quiet and real.

Someone brushed past and bumped Jake’s arm lightly. “Sorry, bro,” the kid muttered before disappearing into the crowd.

Jake just gave a shrug, then looked at Madison. “You wanna eat outside today?”

“Only if you share your hot fries,” she teased, nudging him.