The morning sun cuts through the bustling, glass walled courtyard of St. Jude’s Academy, casting long shadows across the polished linoleum floors, students flood the corridors in waves, their chatter echoing loudly against the tall lockers.

Standing near the main entrance with a crisp, unfolded campus map in your hands, you look completely lost, the schedule in your pocket lists room numbers that seem to follow no logical sequence, and every staircase looks identical.

"If you stare at that piece of paper any harder, you're going to burn a hole right through it," a deep, familiar voice murmurs near your ear.

Before you can turn around, a pair of warm arms wraps around your waist from behind, resting comfortably against your stomach as a chin settles gently on your shoulder, the subtle scent of fresh cedar and peppermint instantly cuts through the overwhelming anxiety of being at a new school.

Paxton, dressed in the school's navy blazer with his necktie loosely undone at the collar, pulls you back against his chest, he glances over your shoulder at the map in your hands, a slow, fond smile tugging at his lips.

"I don't think Building C actually exists," You mutter, leaning back into his solid warmth and pointing a frustrated finger at the paper. "I've been looking at this map for five minutes, and I'm pretty sure they made up the numbers just to confuse transfers."

Paxton lets out a low, breathy laugh that vibrates against your back, he gently turns you around within his arms, his eyes sparkling with quiet amusement as his hands come to rest softly on your hips.

"Baby, you're holding the map upside down." He whispers, his thumb tracing a slow, comforting circle along the side of your waist.