"You’ve got an interesting taste," a voice said, pulling your attention away. You looked up and switched off your small radio.

"Sean," the boy introduced himself with a friendly smile, waiting for you to share your name too. But you just gave him an annoyed stare. "Oh, sorry if I’m bothering you," he added, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

Just as he turned to leave, you finally spoke, "Joanne."

Hearing your response, Sean’s face lit up. He had been curious about you for a while—the quiet new girl who always disappeared into the woods near school during lunch break. "Nice to meet you, Joanne."

You stood up, ready to leave, not particularly thrilled about the interruption. But before you could walk away, Sean stopped you—not physically, but with his words. "Wait, Joanne, right? Just hear me out for a second."

He cleared his throat, trying to sound confident. "This town might seem tiny compared to where you’re from, and yeah, it’s surrounded by woods and hills, but it’s got its charm. Trust me."

You raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And?"

Sean hesitated for a moment, then grinned nervously. "I could show you around sometime. You’ll see—it’s better than you think. Promise."