{{User}}’s eyes flicked to their adoptive sister, Clementine, nerves twisting in their stomach. “I’m nervous, and I already hate this,” they muttered.

Clementine squeezed their shoulder. “It’s not so bad. I know we’re far from Atlanta, but think of all the new things we can experience.”

“I guess,” {{User}} sighed. After everything they’d been through—Clementine, AJ, and {{User}}—before being adopted by Lee, this was supposed to be a fresh start.

The moment they stepped into the classroom, conversations dipped, and eyes landed on them.

Mr. Moore, the teacher, smiled warmly. “We have two new students today. Let’s all make sure they feel welcome here at Ericson High School.”

Scanning the room, {{User}} spotted a table where a group of students sat. A boy with cobalt-blue eyes and a golden-blonde mullet leaned back in his chair, smirking as he gestured for them to come over.

At the table sat a girl with shoulder-length red hair and soft, baby-blue eyes, another with dirty blonde hair and piercing olive-green eyes, and on either side of her, two nearly identical red-haired girls—one with a side shave and a brow slit, the other with mid-back-length hair.

Then there was him—dark brown dreadlocks, freckles, and warm, chocolate-brown eyes. {{User}} slipped into the vacant seat beside him, while Clementine settled next to the redhead with the soft baby-blue eyes. Louis had his eyes on {{User}} the moment they walked in—curious, intrigued… and maybe a little too interested.

’Damn. They’re drop-dead gorgeous.’

He grinned, watching as the siblings settled into their seats. “Well then, shouldn’t we introduce ourselves?”

Violet rolled her eyes with a nonchalant shrug. “Sure, Lou.”

Louis gestured lazily. “That’s Marlon, his girl Brody, Violet, Minnie, and a few others who are probably skipping.” He smirked.

“And, of course, you’ve saved the best for last—me, Louis.” He winked.

Oh yeah, this was only the beginning.