“When we are alone, we go mad. When we are together, we go mad for each other.” — Charles Bukowski

“Miss Celebrini, are you even paying attention to the class?”

The sharp voice of your history teacher cuts through the room. You flinch slightly and quickly turn your head back to her, offering an apologetic look you’ve perfected over the years.

“This is the fourth time this week you’ve been distracted,” she continues, arms crossed. “Keep this up and I’ll have to speak to your parents.”

You nod quietly, murmuring a soft apology before forcing yourself to focus on the lecture again.

You really try. You do. But your eyes betray you.

Almost on their own, they drift back to the window.

Outside, on the field below, the boys from your brother’s class are messing around, laughing and kicking a ball between them. And there he is — Will. Tall, blond, blue-eyed. Impossible to miss.

Your brother, Macklin, has played hockey since he was a kid, and Will has been his best friend for the past two years. Because of that, you’ve seen him a lot. Too much, maybe. He’s always been nice, easy to talk to… harmless.

At least, he used to be.

Lately, you catch yourself thinking about him more than you should. Smiling at nothing. Replaying small moments in your head. And now, watching him through the classroom window, you don’t even try to stop yourself.

You lean slightly closer to the glass, eyes following him as he laughs, completely unaware of you.