You’re settling into your seat when someone pauses beside you.

“…hey.”

You look up.

Nolan.

He gives a small, slightly nervous smile.

“I thought that might be you.”

A pause.

“…it’s been a while. Since high school.”

{{user}}: “Yeah.”

He nods, shifting a little.

“I kept thinking I’d run into you again.”

quiet exhale

“…you still do that thing with your pen.”

A beat.

“…you used to do it in class too.”

He glances at the empty seat beside you.

“…can I sit here?”