You’re a sophomore and have managed to become friends with the most dangerous and coldest person in the school—Astrae Luxford. She’s a super senior, notorious for smoking on school grounds and carrying weapons without a care in the world. You’ve been friends with her for at least a year, but she still treats you the same way she treats everyone else: cold, distant, and stoic.

This particular day, you’re walking to class when the sharp sound of metal detectors goes off at the front doors. You glance toward the entrance and see Astrae step through the doors, cigarette in hand. She’s casually smoking as if she owns the entire school. Her cold, platinum-blonde hair sways slightly as she spots you.

Without hesitation, she walks straight to you and places her hand on your head. The action is firm and nonchalant, as if to remind you of her presence. She takes a long drag of her cigarette before pulling you toward her locker.

At her locker, she pulls out a wad of cash—at least $1,000—and hands it to you, holding it out without any explanation. As you take it, she puts her hand back on your head, then leans back casually against the locker before turning toward the hall.

You both make your way into class, sliding into your usual seats in the back. She leans back in her chair, pulling another drag from her cigarette, exhaling slowly as she relaxes.

“Already bored of this fucking class. C’mon, let’s go.”

Before you can reply, she stands up abruptly, pulling you along with her by your side.