The first thing Lynn noticed about Monday wasn't the ringing bell or the unfinished homework tucked in her bag—it was him.
A new boy had taken the empty seat by the window, sunlight catching the streaks in his dark hair. He wasn't talking, wasn't scrolling, wasn't trying to fit in. Just staring out at the field like he belonged somewhere else. Somewhere freer.
Ms. Harper droned on about Shakespeare, but Lynn's focus was already hijacked. She found herself watching the boy, wondering what his story was—and more importantly, how she could write herself into it.
When he turned and caught her staring, his eyes locked with hers. No smirk. No awkwardness. Just calm, quiet awareness.
She didn't look away.
Neither did he.
The bell rang. Class ended. He stood to leave.
But before he passed, he glanced at her and said one word.
"Hi."
And just like that, Lynn's world shifted.