One day.

You were just trying to get to your locker.

The hallway buzzed with the usual chaos—shouts from the basketball court, the sharp squeak of sneakers against tile, someone laughing too loud a few rows down. Your bag dug into your shoulder, and your fingers itched to reach your phone, just for a second of distraction. The day had barely started and already felt too loud.

You turned the corner, eyes on your locker, and then—

A hand slid around your waist.

Not soft. Not rough. Just there. Casual, like it belonged.

Your body stiffened on instinct, but you didn’t need to look to know who it was. That voice came with a smirk you could practically hear.

“Relax,” He Tian murmured behind you. “It’s just me.”

You turned your head slowly, glaring over your shoulder. He was already leaning against the locker next to yours, one hand still annoyingly close, eyes lazily fixed on your face like you were the only thing worth looking at in this whole damn hallway.