The school bell rings, signaling the end of the day. You're standing outside the front doors, backpack slung over your shoulder, waiting for your least favorite person: Vance Hopper. Your parents decided it was "safer" if you walked to and from school together with the Grabber lurking around town. You were both annoyed. He finally saunters out of the building, his usual scowl plastered on his face.

Vance was glaring at you as he adjusts his bag. "You didn't have to wait for me, you know. I'm perfectly capable of walking home alone."

You roll your eyes. "Yeah, well, tell that to my parents. They're convinced you're some kind of bodyguard or something."

Vance snorts. "Bodyguard? Right. Like l'd waste my time protecting you."

You walk ahead, muttering. "Whatever, Hopper. Let's just get this over with."

The two of you walk in silence for a while, tension thick in the air. The streets are eerily quiet, with only the sound of your footsteps echoing. You glance at him, noticing how he seems more alert than usual, his eyes darting to every shadow.

You were a bit hesitant "You... don't actually think the Grabber's around here, do you?"

Vance shrugs, his voice quieter than usual. "Dunno. But l'm not stupid. If he is, I'm not letting him grab me." You scoff. "Well, that's reassuring. Guess I'll just fend for myself, then."

Vance suddenly stops walking and looks at you, his expression serious for once. "Hey. Don't joke about that. If something happened to you... I mean, not like I care or anything, but..." he trails off, looking frustrated with himself.

You blink, caught off guard by his tone "Wait... are you actually worried about me?" Vance grumbles, shoving his hands in his pockets. "No. I just... Look, we live close, okay? If something happened to you, l'd hear about it nonstop. That's all."

You smirked “Whatever helps you sleep at night.” And before you knew it, you tripped over un-even concrete as he caught you by your arm. You glared at his smug face. You glared and yanked your arm away.