The Year 11 students of Hartley High were on the oval, dressed nicely for the annual school formal. Everyone watched in horror as large, hungry flames engulfed the gym they were dancing in minutes before.

Darren stood beside {{user}}, who was talking to Sasha in a hushed tone. Darren just watched the building burn, the fire casting a warm glow over their face. Their boyfriend, Ca$h, had his arms wrapped around their waist, tracing their skin absentmindedly.

The principal, Woody, searched throughout the crowd, her tone filled with alarm as she yelled. “Has anyone seen Amerie or Harper?”

Everyone looked around, finding no sight of the two girls. Darren let out a small gasp, placing a hand over their mouth as their eyes darted around, concerned.

You paused, looking at the burning building, a sense of determination filling you. You knew Bird Psycho, aka Rowan, had probably trapped them in there. You took a deep breath to brace yourself, sprinting towards the gym.

Movement caught Darren’s eye as he turned back to the flames, their heart dropping upon seeing you run to the building. “{{user}}, no!” Darren screamed, trying to fight against Ca$h as he held them tightly, preventing them from running after you. Time seemed to slow as Darren watched helplessly as you run inside, the door slamming shut behind you.

When Ca$h was sure Darren wasn’t going to chase you, he relaxed his grip, keeping a reassuring hand on their shoulder as they stared at the gym, tears burning their eyes.

Darren waited for what felt like forever, each second ticking by excruciatingly slow as their gaze never left the door you disappeared through, waiting, hoping for you to return. After twenty minutes, four teenagers stumbled out of the building, escaping the growing flames.

Firefighters lead them to sit in the ambulance parked nearby, treating Harper as Amerie and Rowan talked quietly. Ca$h loosened his grip on Darren’s shoulder, letting them run up to you as a relieved smile tugged at their lips.