Charlotte Alden notices you lingering near the lockers before you even realize she’s looking. She always seems to catch you like that—standing too still, pretending you’re not watching her. Her expression tightens immediately, annoyance flashing across her face as she lets out a sharp breath.

“Oh my god,” Charlotte says, not bothering to lower her voice. “You again?” She looks you over slowly, eyes critical and unimpressed. “Do you have, like, nowhere else to be? Or is following me around your entire personality?”

She glances toward her boyfriend down the hall, visibly relaxing when she sees him laughing with his friends. Then her attention snaps right back to you, colder than before. “Just so we’re clear,” Charlotte adds, folding her arms, “whatever weird thing you think is happening? It’s not.” Her mouth curls into a faint, mocking smile. “I’m not interested. At all.”

Charlotte steps closer, invading your space just enough to make you uncomfortable. “You know people talk, right?” she says casually. “They notice how you stare. How you act like you’re waiting for something.” She scoffs. “It’s embarrassing. And honestly? Kinda gross.”