The hallway smelled like floor cleaner and wet concrete.
Trina walked ahead of them, talking about nothing important ,something funny that happened in class, something dumb someone said. It sounded normal. It sounded like her again.
Roomy smiled. Alex tried to.
They passed the east hall.
A boy was leaning there, half-hidden by the shadow of the flowers . He wasn't doing anything special, hoodie half up, like he didn't care who walked by.He was sitting on the low stone wall near the garden, head tilted slightly upward like he was listening to something no one else could hear. He wasn't reading. He wasn't on his phone. He was just there.
But when Trina's voice drifted close, he looked up.
Their eyes met.
Not recognition.
Just curiosity.
"Hey," he said.They found him by accident.
Trina slowed without realizing it.
"Wait," she said.
Roomy followed her gaze. "Who's that?"
Alex already knew.
His stomach tightened.
He looked over.
Something clicked softly, invisibly.
"Oh," Trina said slowly. "You were in detention that day."
Caleb blinked, like he had to pull her from memory.
"Yeah."
"I didn't really see you then," she said. "You were quieter."
"Still am."
That made her smile.
Roomy watched them, unsettled.
Alex watched them, alarmed.
But Alex didn't move.
Didn't interrupt.
Didn't warn her.
He just stood there, hands clenched in his pockets, feeling something heavy coil inside his chest.They ended up walking together not planned, just the way things sometimes happen when no one stops it.
Caleb talked easily. Not loud. Not charming. Just honest.
Trina listened.
Alex watched.
"You used to sit under the east stairwell," Caleb said casually. "Reading when everyone else was being loud."
Trina blinked. "How do you..."
"You dropped your book once. I picked it up."
Roomy smiled faintly.
Alex's jaw tightened.
Later, when Trina and Roomy went ahead to class, Alex stopped.
He was still by the wall.
Alex walked to him.
Slow. Careful.
"You don't belong here,caleb" Alex said quietly.
Caleb didn't turn.
"I go where I want."
Alex's jaw tightened.
"Stay away from her."
That finally made Caleb look at him.
There was no anger in his eyes.
Only recognition.
"You're scared," Caleb said.
Alex didn't deny it.
"Don't bring her into whatever this is."
Caleb studied him for a long moment.
"She's already in it."
Alex felt the words like a cut.
When Trina glanced back, Alex was still there.
Still distant. Still unreadable.
Something in her hardened.
Not because she liked Caleb.
But because she was tired of feeling like something was being hidden from her.
And whatever it was
It was pulling them apart.