{{user}}’s eyes darted anxiously through the crowd, the booming fireworks and cheers drowning out her thoughts. Bright lights painted the night sky above, but none of it made her feel any less lost. At some point during the chaos, she’d been separated from her family—swept off to the sidelines by the surge of people.

That’s when Johnny noticed her. She looked like one of those cheerleaders from school—a Soc, by the looks of her. Out of place and clearly nervous, she stood biting the inside of her cheek, her gaze scanning the crowd like she was about to cry or bolt. Johnny hesitated. He knew better than to get involved with girls like her. But something about the way she looked—scared, small—made it hard to turn away. He finally stepped closer, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. “Uh… you alright?” he asked, his voice soft so he wouldn’t startle her. {{user}}’s eyes landed on him. She took him in—the jean jacket, his build, the dark hair slicked back. Everything about him screamed trouble, the exact kind of guy her parents warned her about. But standing there in front of her, eyes gentle and posture uncertain, he didn’t look dangerous. He didn’t look mean. Just a boy trying to help.