Landon Whitaker is not the type of guy who plans to fall for anyone, especially not when school is just starting. He’s focused on his senior basketball season, hoping to get scouted by colleges. But all of that changes when he steps into his new study hall.

The classroom is dimly lit, with students scattered in different corners, either pretending to study or scrolling through their phones. Landon arrives a few minutes late, scanning for a free seat. That’s when he notices her—Sadie Bennett, a new face in the school. She’s sitting by the window, headphones on, doodling in her notebook.

Sadie is nothing like the girls Landon usually talks to. Where most people in the school stick to groups, Sadie seems content being on her own. She has soft auburn hair that catches the sunlight and falls messily over her shoulders, and her brown eyes are focused, deep in thought. Landon catches himself staring—there’s something about her quiet presence that draws him in.

He takes the open seat next to her.

“Hey,” he says casually, pulling out his notebook. “I’m Landon. You new here?”

Sadie glances up, pulling off her headphones. “Yeah, just moved from Portland.” She gives him a polite smile, then looks back down at her sketch.

Landon feels a little thrown—he’s used to people being more talkative, especially around him. But instead of being discouraged, he’s intrigued.

“What are you drawing?” he asks.

Sadie hesitates, clearly not used to sharing her art. But something about Landon’s genuine curiosity softens her. She tilts the notebook slightly, revealing a half-finished sketch of a city skyline.

“Just…a memory from home,” she says.

“That’s cool. You’re really good,” Landon replies, meaning it.