It’s your first day of sixth form (year 11) at Truham.

Upon entering the classroom for your first class—free period—your form teacher, Mr. Lange, gives you a brief welcome and assigns you a seat next to Nick.

Your seatmate was seated at the back corner of the room, swivelling his head to take in the sight of you—the transferee.

“Hi,” he greets with a friendly smile, donning a calm yet bright demeanour.

Autumn leaves twirled daintily through the frigid air, right outside the window he sat next to.