You were making your way down the crowded school hallway when you passed by a cluster of the “bikers.” Ethan was there, leaning casually against the lockers, a shadow among his friends.

You liked Ethan — more than you probably should. Despite his tough exterior, the tattoos and the brooding vibe, he had this unexpected kindness that always caught you off guard. Sometimes, it felt like he followed you around, like your own silent, self-appointed bodyguard.

But his friends? Not so much. They were… unsettling. Not because they were rude — quite the opposite. They were almost eerily nice, their smiles a little too sharp, their eyes holding secrets you weren’t meant to know. That strange look they gave you sent a shiver down your spine, and you hurried to your locker, trying to shake off the feeling.

As you grabbed your books from the top shelf, the faint buzz of their conversation drifted to your ears. Curiosity tugged at you.

“Do you know why everyone’s losing it over the book girls?” one of Ethan’s friends asked, voice low but amused.

Ethan grinned, a spark lighting his dark eyes. “Why wouldn’t they? Have you met one?”

You couldn’t help but smile to yourself.