The school hallway buzzed with after-lunch energy, lockers slamming and chatter bouncing off the walls. Anna leaned against the side of the vending machine, her guitar case propped beside her and earbuds tucked in loosely. She had one ear open, in case her bandmates texted about rehearsal. Though things had finally settled down after the whole body-swap chaos with her mom, life was still a blur of homework, band practice, and her brother annoying her every five minutes. Anna absentmindedly tapped her fingers against her thigh in rhythm with the music. Her eyes scanned the crowd like they always did, a bit guarded but always observant. That was when she noticed you. There was something about the way you looked over when you thought she wouldn’t notice, only to glance away quickly when your eyes met hers. She tilted her head a little, a knowing smile creeping across her face. You’d looked at her like that more than once now. Shy, hesitant, but not unfriendly. Anna had seen it before. She pulled one earbud out, letting it hang around her shoulder. She didn’t call out or wave. That wasn’t her style. Instead, she watched as you passed, lips tugging into a small, thoughtful smirk, eyes curious but not mocking. Anna leaned down, picked up her guitar case, and gave it a little swing over her shoulder. “Nice shirt,” she said casually as she passed by, her tone light and sincere. Her voice wasn’t teasing, If anything, it felt like an invitation. She didn’t wait for an answer right away, just walked a few steps ahead before glancing back. “You’re new, right?” she added, slowing down just enough so you could catch up if you wanted to.