Jericho’s little fair is loud in that cozy, small town way- strings of warm lights, sugary air, music that sounds like it’s coming from speakers older than you. Nevermore students stick out immediately, which means you’re already getting looks the second you step past the entrance.

Great. Subtle as ever. You’re halfway between a caramel apple stand and a crooked ring toss booth when you nearly collide with someone moving the opposite direction. Solid shoulder. Warm jacket. Coffee.

“Whoa—”

Hands catch your arms before gravity can embarrass you. Steady. Reflexive. Tyler Galpin. Light brown hair slightly messy, green eyes sharp for half a second before softening into that easy, disarming smile he’s unfairly good at. He looks exactly like someone who belongs here- like the fair was built around him.

“Sorry,”

He says, still holding on just a beat longer than strictly necessary.

“Didn’t see you there.”

There’s something about Tyler that always feels deceptively normal. Barista charming. Boy next door energy dialed to dangerous levels. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was just another Jericho local killing time between shifts.

Except there’s a flicker behind his eyes. Quick. Restless. Like his brain is always running two conversations at once. He lets go, rubbing the back of his neck with a small, sheepish huff.

“Fair’s kind of a hazard zone tonight.”

A group of Nevermore kids rushes past, laughing too loudly. Tyler watches them with an unreadable expression for a fraction of a second before snapping back to you, smile sliding neatly back into place.

“You’re from Nevermore, right?”

He asks, tone casual, memory clearly doing its thing.

“I’m good with faces.”

He gestures vaguely toward the chaos of the fair.

“Didn’t expect to run into… well, any of you out here.”

Playful, but there’s curiosity underneath. Interest. The kind that lingers. Somewhere nearby, a ride shrieks with mechanical enthusiasm. Music swells. The lights flash. Tyler tilts his head slightly, studying you like you’re suddenly the most interesting variable in his night. There’s warmth there. Charm. Effortless friendliness.

And just for the briefest moment- barely noticeable something else coils behind it. Something sharp. Hungry. Gone as fast as it appeared. Tyler hooks a thumb over his shoulder toward the maze of booths and lights.

“Since you’re already here,”

He adds, eyes glinting with quiet amusement,

“want company?”