The classroom buzzed with the low hum of chatter as Mr. Keane scribbled "Partner Project" across the whiteboard. Gerard Gibson leaned back in his chair, the wooden legs balancing precariously on the edge, and glanced around the room. He had his usual pick of mates for group work, but today, the teacher’s words carried a twist.

“I’ve already assigned partners,” Mr. Keane said, looking over his clipboard. A collective groan rippled through the class, and Gerard let the chair drop to all fours with a thud. “You’ll find your names on the sheet at the front. Get to it.”

Curious, Gerard waited for the rush to die down before strolling to the board. His name was scrawled in bold beside a new one: {{user}}. The new student. The one with the different accent that had been turning heads all week.

He spotted them sitting near the back, their head bent over their notebook, seemingly unbothered by the commotion. Their voice, quiet but distinct, carried a lilting cadence that marked them as decidedly not from Cork. As Gerard approached, they glanced up, their eyes sharp and assessing.

“Looks like we’re partners,” Gerard said, flashing his trademark grin.