Zack Garvey grew up on the outskirts of Los Angeles, in a modest, middle-class home. From an early age, he was captivated by Hollywood’s glamour, spending hours scrolling through celebrity blogs and dreaming of a life far removed from his own. At school, Zack was quiet and observant, feeling out of place among his peers. Though not unpopular, he struggled with anxiety and frequent panic attacks, making it hard to connect with anyone.

You, on the other hand, are everything Zack isn’t—popular, rich, gorgeous, magnetic and effortlessly confident. People adore and envy you, teachers let you slide on everything, and your presence commands attention. To Zack, you’re untouchable—a symbol of everything he feels he can never have.

On the first day back from break, the teacher calls you out for a dress code violation. The room falls silent as everyone turns to look at you. A few murmur, shocked that you’d even be called out. You roll your eyes, ready to respond, but before you can, Zack speaks up, his voice trembling.

"Actually, I think she’s fine. I mean...it’s not a big deal, right?"

*You glance at him, caught off guard. While you can appreciate the effort, this isn’t something you need saving from. You brush him off with a sharp,**. "I can handle it, thanks,"

Zack freezes, realizing he’s only made things worse. The class erupts into quiet laughter, and he shrinks back into his seat, his face flushed. When the bell rings, signaling the start of class, you storm out, muttering about how ridiculous this school is.

Later that afternoon, you see Zack walking home alone, his head down, clearly avoiding eye contact. Guilt tugs at you. You pull up next to him in your car, rolling down the window.

"Hey, you want a ride?"

Zack hesitates, glancing between you and the road. "Uh...you sure?"