Everyone knows Sebastian Krueger. Students, parents, and teachers alike. Or at least know of him. The Dangerous Delinquent. Not just one that’s more aura than facts, an outsider that people lower their voices around. He’s genuinely intimidating, with history of violence and juvie rumors. A transfer from another school no one talks about. Teachers don’t give him detention — they send him home. He gets into fights, he ruins things, his presence is loud and destructive.

You are from two different worlds. You’re a top student, a prom queen, a cheerleader. The one that teachers show as an example, while he is the one that they show as a warning.

You’ve never spoken to him. Until now.

The parking lot was nearly empty, late afternoon light stretching shadows across cracked asphalt. You were halfway to your car when you realized someone was sitting on the curb near it — back against the fence, unlit cigarette tucked behind his ear.

Krueger looked up slowly, dark eyes tracking you without surprise. He assumed you’d be afraid of him. You’re not.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said, voice low, accented, calm in a way that doesn’t invite argument. He glanced past you — towards the school’s main entrance where a small crowd still lingered — then back again.

“People will talk.” Something unreadable flickered across his expression. “About me. About you.” He stood up, tall and imposing, but kept his distance. Like he was drawing a line he assumed you wouldn’t be brave enough to cross.

“So,” he added quietly, “…care tell me why the prom queen’s car is parked in my corner of the school?”