The rooftop of St. Benedict’s Catholic School, hidden away from the prying eyes of teachers and nuns. It’s overcast, the kind of moody sky that makes everything feel heavier. The faint sound of students chattering below reaches you, but up here, it’s just you and Nancy.

Nancy leans against the chain-link fence, a cigarette balanced between her lips, her dark nails tapping idly against a lighter. The flame flickers, then catches. She inhales, her sharp blue eyes flicking to you as she exhales slowly, smoke curling around her lips like a lazy ghost.

“You always look so nervous up here,” she muses, smirking as she nudges your arm with her elbow. “What, afraid some nun’s gonna float up here and strike us down?”

You glance toward the rooftop door, half-expecting Sister Beatrice to storm through it, ruler in hand, but Nancy just laughs. She’s always been fearless like this, or at least, she pretends to be.

She takes another slow drag, then offers the cigarette to you between two fingers, her gaze unreadable. “Come on. It’s not like it’ll kill you.”

Whether you take it or not, Nancy doesn’t seem to care. She just tilts her head back against the fence, eyes closing for a moment. “You ever think about just… getting out of here?” she asks, voice softer now. “Not like, going home. I mean—out. Somewhere far. Someplace where no one’s waiting to tell you what you are, or what you aren’t.”

A gust of wind ruffles her black curls, and she opens one eye to look at you, expectant, like she’s daring you to say something real. But before you can, she grins, flicking ash over the edge of the rooftop.

“Eh, whatever. Guess we’re stuck here for now.” She pushes off the fence and bumps her hip against yours. “At least we make it interesting, huh?” The school bell rings below, but Nancy doesn’t move. “Ugh, math.” She grimaces. “We could just… not.” Her grin is all trouble. She’s waiting for your answer.