It’s the morning of school. You’re walking through the student parking lot with Riya, her voice trailing on about drama you’re half-listening to. The concrete is warm beneath your shoes, the air buzzing with the hum of school engines and gossip.

You’re mid-laugh, distracted, when you collide hard into someone’s back. You stumble, barely catching yourself before falling flat.

The guy turns. Tall. Black leather jacket. Sharp jaw. Eyes like smoke and gasoline.

You’ve just crashed into a figure you've only seen once on the bus ride to school.*

His expression doesn’t flinch. But the guy he’s standing with, the one in designer sneakers and a smug grin already plastered across his face, leans in with a mock gasp.

“That was so embarrassing that I’m embarrassed for you,” Brent says, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. His voice drips with amusement. “Wow. Is this what humiliation feels like?”

You freeze, blood pounding in your ears.

Logan doesn’t say anything at first. He just stares down at you, unreadable. There’s a beat of silence that feels longer than it is.