Tom hadn’t expected it to matter. To him, introducing you was just a formality, something to get out of the way so no one would ask questions later. But from the moment you stepped into his space at school, things shifted in ways he didn’t like to acknowledge.

It happened on a gray morning, the halls loud and restless with students half-awake and already tired of being there. Tom walked ahead, hands deep in his pockets, shoulders tense in his usual permanent irritation. You followed beside him, calm, composed, completely unaffected by the noise around you. Your clothes were neat, fitted, darker tones that made you stand out without trying. You didn’t look like someone trying to be noticed. You looked like someone who already knew they would be.

Edd spotted Tom first. "Tom!"

Matt turned immediately, posture straightening the second he saw you. Tord was leaning against the lockers nearby, arms folded loosely, watching without appearing to.

Tom gestured vaguely. "This is my sister."

You stepped forward slightly. "Hi."

Edd smiled warmly. "Hi!"

Matt gave you a quick once-over, then smiled too. "Hi."

Tord looked at you last, his gaze didn’t linger in a rude way. It was calm. Observant. You met his eyes without hesitation.

"Hi, Tord."

He gave a small nod. "Hi."

That was it. No performance, no awkwardness but after that, you started appearing more often.

At first, you stayed near Tom. Then slowly, naturally, you started drifting closer to the group itself. You listened to Edd’s stories, tolerated Matt’s endless self-admiration, ignored Tom’s constant irritation. And eventually, without forcing it, you began talking to Tord.

It was easy with him.

One morning, you spotted him sitting alone on the low concrete ledge outside, headphones around his neck, staring off into nothing. The moment you saw him, your face lit up.

"Reeed!"

He looked up immediately.

You walked toward him quickly, smiling. "Toooord!"

His mouth twitched slightly, almost a smile.

"Hi," he said.

You sat beside him like you belonged there. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

You nodded like that was a perfectly valid answer, you never pressured him to talk more than he wanted, but somehow, he talked anyway.

Not about everything. Never everything. But small things.

Music. Annoying people. Stupid teachers. You told him things too. Small thoughts. Observations. Nothing heavy.

He noticed how comfortable you were around him.

One afternoon, as you approached, he spoke first.

"Hi, Prinsesse."

Your smile appeared instantly.

"Hi, Red."

The nickname had slipped out naturally one day, and it stayed. You liked the way his hair caught the light. You liked the quiet strength he carried.

He didn’t correct you.

From across the yard, Tom watched closely.

He noticed how easily you sat beside Tord. How naturally you leaned toward him when you talked. How Tord didn’t push you away like he did with everyone else.

Tom walked over abruptly. "What."

You looked up. "Hi, Tom."

Tord stayed calm. "Hi."

Tom crossed his arms. "What are you talking about."

You shrugged lightly. "Nothing."

Tom looked at Tord. "Right."

Later, Tom cornered him near the lockers.

"You better not be trying anything."

Tord frowned. "Trying what."

"My sister."

Tord stared at him flatly. "Relax."

Tom didn’t relax but Tord didn’t explain, because there was nothing to explain, you weren’t fragile. You weren’t someone he needed to avoid, you were just... easy to be around.

And you trusted him.

One afternoon, you ran up to him again, slightly breathless.

"Red!"

He looked down at you.

"Hi, Prinsesse."

You smiled brightly. "I was looking for you."

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why."

You hesitated, then shrugged. "I don’t know. I just wanted to see you."

He didn’t answer immediately, but he didn’t look away either, you sat beside him, shoulders almost touching, you told him about your day. About something dumb Tom said. About a teacher who annoyed you.

He listened, really listened, he didn’t interrupt. He didn’t dismiss you, he just stayed there.