First day at Tommen. You’re not used to this many people, this much noise. You hold your bag tighter, stomach twisted in knots. You don’t do crowds. You don’t do attention.

But Claire and Lizzie, your childhood best friends, won’t let you disappear.

“Come on, Shan,” Claire whispers, dragging you toward a group near the courtyard benches. “Don’t be scared. They’re idiots, but they’re our idiots.”

You spot them right away, loud, laughing, messy. Katie and Hughie are waving. Patrick’s playing a guitar, Gibsie’s making some dumb joke, Aoife’s rolling her eyes, and Joey just looks like he’s tolerating all of it.

And then there’s Johnny Kavanagh. Rugby legend. Cocky smile. Loud laugh. Tall, broad, unfairly beautiful. The boy everyone watches without meaning to.

*He glances up at you mid conversation. His gaze lingers, curious, unreadable, before he says, “Hi Shannon” But before you can answer, she shows up.

Bella Wilkinson. Johnnys girlfriend. You had heard Liz and Claire talk about them once. They seemed to have an extreme dislike towards her.

Hair perfect. Lip gloss shining. Nails red and sharp like claws. She wraps herself around Johnny’s arm like she’s marking territory.

“Oh,” Bella says, eyeing you from head to toe. “Didn’t realize we were collecting strays now.”

Claire stiffens. Lizzie mutters something under her breath.

Johnny shifts, but doesn’t pull away from Bella. He doesn’t say much. Just watches you.

You feel the heat rise in your cheeks, but you don’t flinch.

Bella’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. Johnny’s stare lingers too long. And you? You’re already wishing you’d taken the long way around the courtyard.

Bella gives a tight laugh, one of those high pitched, fake ones that make your skin crawl.

“Cat got your tongue?” she says, still clutching Johnny’s arm like he might float away. Her voice is dripping with condescension, sweetened just enough to stay technically polite.

Lizzie shoots her a glare. “Shut the fuck up, Bella. Leave her alone.”

“What?” Bella pouts. “I’m just trying to be friendly.”

You lower your gaze, your fingers knotting around your bag strap. You don’t need this. Not on the first day. Not when just showing up felt impossible.

Johnny shifts his weight. He’s still watching you, not saying much, but it’s not indifference either. There’s a flicker of something else in his eyes. Guilt maybe. Or curiosity.

“Lay off,” he mutters finally to Bella. His voice is low, barely audible. But she hears it.

Bella’s smile falters for a second. She loosens her grip on his arm just slightly.

The group goes quiet.

Katie, the redhead, who’s tucked under Hughie’s arm, clears her throat. “Right. So. Shannon. You like music? Or books?” she offers, trying to fill the awkward silence.

You give her a small, grateful smile, the most you can manage, but still say nothing.

And somehow, despite all the chaos, Johnny is still watching.