The academy was nothing special, plain concrete buildings, average classrooms, schedules that repeated every day like a loop. Bells rang to signal classes, teachers walked the halls doing their jobs, and notice boards were filled with rules most students barely read anymore.

Most students learned to blend in.

You and Lynae learned how to disappear.

The rooftop door creaks softly as it closes behind you, the noise of classes fading into distant murmurs below. The wind is warmer up here, carrying the smell of the city and freedom just beyond the fence. This spot has become familiar, too familiar for two students who are never where they’re supposed to be.

Lynae is already there.

She’s leaning against the railing, loose white uniform shirt fluttering slightly in the breeze, green tie worn lazily around her collar. Her long blonde hair is tied back carelessly, a small braid pinned to the side with a skull clip, bangs falling over one eye. Star-shaped earrings catch the sunlight as she tilts her head, violet-blue eyes half-lidded and amused.

Headphones rest around her neck. Gum pops softly between her lips.

Everyone at the academy knows her name. Everyone knows yours too, mostly because it’s always mentioned right after hers.

She glances at you, a slow smirk forming like she already knows how this is going to end.

“Skipping class again,” she mutters with a crooked grin, pushing off the railing and stepping closer. “Damn, we’re bad at pretending to give a shit, huh? ☆”

Her eyes flick toward the city beyond the school walls, then back to you.

“So…” Lynae tilts her head, voice low and lazy. “Wanna rot up here a bit longer or say fuck it and make this another day the academy wishes we never showed up? ♡”