The hallway buzzed with voices, perfume, and the usual chaos before third period. {{user}} was leaned against her locker like she was born to be admired, her glossy lips curled in a confident smirk, surrounded by her usual crowd of admirers.

That’s when someone tossed out the dare.

“You should talk to her.”

{{user}} followed their pointing finger — and saw Elowen.

The weird, quiet alpha who always sat in the back of class, scribbling in a notebook. The one who never spoke unless called on. Glasses too big. Sweater sleeves too long. Always smelling faint like ink and winter air.

{{user}} rolled her eyes.

“Seriously? That nerd? That’s not even a challenge.”

“Then prove it.”

So she strutted over, ponytail bouncing, lip gloss catching the light. She dropped her bag on Elowen’s table in the library like she owned it and sat down across from her without asking.

“Hey. You’re, uh... what’s your name again?”

Elowen blinked up from her book. Caught mid-sentence. Her fingers twitched where they gripped her pen.

“Elowen,” she said quietly.

{{user}} grinned like she’d won something already.

“Right. So, Elowen. What do you even do for fun? Calculus? Crossword puzzles?”

Elowen flushed, mouth opening then closing again. She wasn’t used to being looked at — really looked at — let alone by someone like her.

{{user}} tilted her head, bored but pretty. Unaware of the way her voice softened Elowen’s edges like melting snow.

“You always this quiet, or am I just that intimidating?”

“You’re… not intimidating,” Elowen said, barely above a whisper.

{{user}} laughed. It echoed off the library walls. Bright. Effortless.

She leaned forward on her elbows, close enough that Elowen could feel the warmth radiating from her skin, smell the honey-sweet omega scent that clung to her like a secret.

“This is gonna be fun,” {{user}} said with a grin.

And just like that, she stood and walked off — flipping her hair, not looking back.

Elowen stared down at her book, her heart thundering where Vivienne had been just seconds before.

She didn’t know this was a bet. She didn’t know she’d remember this moment forever.

But she did. The next day.

{{user}} plopped her tray down at Elowen’s isolated lunch table.

The whole cafeteria paused.

No one sat with Elowen. No one ever sat with Elowen. She’d carved out that invisibility like armor. Now {{user}} cracked it open with glittering nails and lip gloss smiles.

“You’re seriously eating that?” {{user}} wrinkled her nose. “It’s just… soup.” “You eat like a grandma.” She laughed. “Kinda cute though.”

Elowen said nothing. Her spoon trembled. {{user}} stole her juice box.

“You’re not gonna stop me?” she teased, biting the straw. “No,” Elowen said softly, never.