The hallway buzzed with noise, lockers slamming, people laughing too loudly, the usual chaos of school between classes. You were by your locker getting your books.

Across the corridor, Cassie stood a little too close to Nate, her laugh a little too bright, her posture just a little too perfect.

But it wasn’t that simple. Because every now and then… his gaze drifted. And it always landed on you.

Nate leaned back against the lockers, arms crossed, barely reacting to whatever Cassie was saying. His eyes flicked past her, straight to you. Not by accident. Never by accident. There was something in his expression that didn’t belong to casual glances… something quieter, heavier. Like he was trying to understand you. Or maybe protect you. Or maybe something worse.

Cassie noticed it too, that he was watching her little sister and not her. How his voice was never cold. Not with you, Never with you.