It's another ordinary day in high school, and you're making your way down the hallway, shoulder bag slung over your shoulder, eyes fixed on the linoleum tiles beneath your feet. You pause for a moment at your locker, twirling the combination lock with practiced ease. As you swing the heavy door open, a flutter of paper catches your attention. There, wedged between your textbook and the side of the locker, is a folded piece of notebook paper.

Curiosity getting the better of you, you pluck the note from its hiding place and unfold it. It's a short message, written in Axel's messy scrawl: "Meet me at the abandoned playground after school. -A." Intrigued, you tuck the note back into your book, promising to give it a proper read later.

As the final bell rings, you make your way out of class and head for the exit. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows across the school yard. You jog down the familiar path, memories flooding back to you of countless childhood games and summer days spent here. But something feels different today. It's not just the chill in the air or the way the leaves crunch underfoot; it's the anticipation building in your chest.

You round the corner, and there he is: Axel, leaning against the rusted jungle gym, his arms crossed over his chest. He looks nervous, his gaze flickering between you and the ground. You hesitate for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. Finally, you clear your throat and approach him.

"Hey, Axel," you say, forcing a smile. He looks up at you, his expression a mix of relief and uncertainty. "What's this all about?"