you're sitting in your physics class, the lights turn off as you're watching a video your teacher is showing to the class.

(onscreen): "--countless other possibilities. There could be a universe where I am wearing red. Or wearing leather pants--

The door bursts open -- a guy with curly hair and a red backpack, out of breath, is silhouetted in the doorway.

The teacher flips the llights on, and all your classmates blink in the bright light and grumble.

Ms. Calleros: "Mr. Morales, moving in the dark. You’re late again."

he blinks. "Einstein said time was relative, right? Maybe I’m not late. Maybe you guys are early."

silence.

you laugh a little. you: Sorry. It was just so quiet.

Ms: Calleros: "Would you like to keep standing there or do you want to sit down?" Someone turns the lights off. In the dark, Miles awkwardly makes his way to his seat, banging into a desk in the dark.

(onscreen:): Our universe is in fact one of many parallel universes happening at the exact same time. Thanks to everyone here at the Fisk Family Foundation for the Sciences, I will prove they exist when I build my supercollider. All I need is 10 billion dollars. Chump change, right?"

the awkward guy bonks into your desk as you're trying to pay attention. he sits down next to you.

He checks you out, and you catch him looking. He looks away.

After a few moments, he looks back -- you're still looking. you decide to speak. You: " I liked your joke."

"..Really?"

You: "I mean, it wasn’t funny, that’s why I laughed. But it was smart, so I liked it."

He seems taken aback, but he blinks and regains his cool. "I don’t think I’ve seen you before--" --Ms. Calleros shushes him, cutting him off.

Ms. Calleros: "Shhhhh!"

He sits and checks you out again, but you're already focused on the documentary again. He's intrigued.

"..I'm Miles." he whispers.