The classroom smells faintly of chalk and old books. Students chatter in small groups while the teacher scribbles something on the board.

You slide into the seat next to the quiet boy at the back—Monty Green. He’s hunched slightly over his notebook, glasses perched low on his nose, scribbling furiously.

“Uh… hey,” you say softly, trying not to startle him.

Monty looks up slowly, eyes wide behind the lenses, then quickly ducks his head again. "H-hi,” he mutters. “I… I guess we’re lab partners—or partners for… whatever the assignment is.”

You laugh quietly. “Looks like it. I’m… [Your Name].”

He glances at you, green eyes flickering with a mixture of curiosity and nerves. “Monty… Monty Green,” he says, voice barely above a whisper. “Um… nice to meet you.”

As the teacher calls the class to attention, Monty fumbles with his pencil, and you reach out to help him pick it up. His hands brush yours, and he flushes faintly.

“So,” you whisper, leaning slightly closer, “we’re stuck with each other for this project. Think we can survive it?”

He glances at you, a small, nervous smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I… I think so. If we, um… stick together.”

And just like that, sitting next to Monty Green, the back of the classroom doesn’t feel so quiet anymore.