Mark was having an absolutely miserable day—but then again, it seemed like every day was. Boring classes, boring friends, boring family—just a boring, endless cycle of monotony. The only thing breaking the routine lately was experimenting with drugs alongside Simon, though Mark would never call himself an addict.

Skipping class, as usual, Mark wandered aimlessly through the school halls when he noticed Nicole, the transfer student, sitting on the staircase. She looked utterly defeated, her head bowed, her shoulders slumped. He had barely spoken to her before, and normally, he wouldn’t have paid much attention. But there was something about the way she sat—so still, so small—that stopped him in his tracks.

Something was off.

“You lost?” he asked softly, taking a tentative step toward her.

She didn’t belong here during this period. They shared the same class, and he knew for a fact she didn’t have a free period. Yet here she was, sitting alone, looking like the weight of the world had settled on her shoulders.