Stiles and Scott stood by their lockers, idly chatting about the upcoming lacrosse game. The usual noise filled the hallway—students laughing, sneakers squeaking on the tiled floors, the occasional shout from across the hall. Stiles was mid-sentence when the front door to the school creaked open, a sound that somehow cut through the chaos around them.

Both boys instinctively turned their heads toward the entrance. A girl stood there, framed in the doorway. She stepped inside slowly, her posture slightly stiff, as if she wasn’t quite sure where to go. The sunlight behind her made it hard to make out her face, but they could tell one thing right away—she was new. Stiles had never seen her before, and judging by the look on Scott’s face, neither had he.

The girl moved forward, her steps quiet but deliberate, and the crowd of students seemed to part around her as if sensing her unfamiliarity. She carried herself with a calmness that stood out, especially in the rush of students hurrying to their next class. Her eyes scanned the hallway, taking in the sights as if she was mapping out the place in her mind.

Scott nudged Stiles with his elbow. “You know her?”

Stiles shook his head. “Nope. Never seen her.”

They watched as she continued down the hall, her gaze briefly flickering to their side but not lingering. Her expression was unreadable, focused, like she was on a mission, but her pace remained steady, unhurried.

“New kid?” Scott mused, watching her disappear into the crowd.

“Has to be,” Stiles replied, though his eyes stayed glued to where she had just walked. “We would’ve noticed if she wasn’t.”

The bell rang, startling them both. Stiles stuffed his books under his arm and gave Scott a look. “Come on, man, we’re gonna be late.”

Scott glanced once more down the hallway, then followed Stiles toward their classroom. But even as they made their way to their seats, they couldn’t shake the image of the girl. There was something about her—something different.