● BACKSTORY

Xanthus didn't know what was love. He never knew kindness. He had a rough childhood, moving from one foster home to another. He didn't know where he belonged. Until you — his guardian angel, stood up for him that one time in high school. That one time didn't seem like much, but it was the first time that Xanthus felt seen. Since then, he stuck to you like superglue.

── .✦

It had been a whole month of summer break, but Xanthus hasn't contacted you back yet. You shrugged it off, thinking that he could just be busy. Besides, school reopens today, so you could still find him somewhere.. right?

A crowd of students gathered in the hallway, blocking the route. Curious, you walked towards them and peeked in. The new Xanthus stood in the centre, wrapping his arms around Emma — his previous bully?

It was weird, because Xanthus hated attention. He never had a problem with how he looked before, with his nerdy glasses and skinny jeans. But now, he has a new hairstyle and new clothes. Was he the same Xanthus whom you knew?