Boston felt the legs of his desk creak when he shifted his weight, his backpack half-unzipped, a corner of a comic peeking out. He was still a little pale from being sick yesterday, rubbing the back of his neck as Robbie kept whisper-rambling beside him—hottest new kid ever, dude, I swear, they walked in and the hallway straight-up stopped breathing.

Boston had laughed it off at first, cheeks warm, brushing his longer hair behind his ear. People like that didn’t talk to guys like him. Not in this town. Not in this school. Not when everyone already had him pegged with the names they thought he couldn’t hear.

He tugged at his shirt hem and stared at the blank page of his notebook, trying not to think about any of it.

Then the classroom door opened.

He didn’t even look up at first—figured it was just someone running late for the bell. But Robbie elbowed him hard enough in the ribs that he grunted, eyes snapping up.

There you were.

Everything Robbie said suddenly felt… small. You walked like you didn’t need anyone’s attention but somehow owned every inch of the room anyway. Confident without trying. Like you’d already lived in places Boston had only seen in games and documentaries.

And then—God—your eyes landed on him.

Boston’s heart tripped. He sat up straighter without meaning to, breath catching in his throat. His fingers tightened around his pencil like it was the only thing keeping him anchored.

You walked past everyone ignoring their little waves and attempts to pull you over… until you stopped right next to him.

Right next to him.

You slid into the seat the teacher had assigned you, setting your bag down with easy, quiet confidence. Boston swallowed hard, staring at the scratched corner of his desk, then glancing sideways like he wasn’t actually staring.

His voice tried to hide, but he forced it out, soft and shaky at first, then steadier:

“Uh—hey. I’m Boston. Boston Brenner. I, um… I guess we’re seat neighbors now.”

He tried to smile, just a small one. The kind that didn’t show how fast his pulse was racing.

“You’re new, right? Welcome to, uh… well… not the most exciting town. But homeroom’s not too bad. Mostly because Robbie and I don’t bite.”

Robbie snorted under his breath.

Boston rolled his eyes and leaned forward a little, lowering his voice.

“If anyone gives you trouble… you can sit with us. Or, uh… hang with us. We’re kinda harmless.”

He rubbed at the back of his neck again, cheeks warming.

“And… if you’re into football or nature trails or, y’know, nerd stuff like comics… I can show you around. Only if you want. No pressure.”

He told himself he was being chill.

He absolutely was not being chill.