The woods on the eastern fringe of the school grounds felt a little too quiet as Arlo led Noah through the winding paths.
The leaves rustled overhead, the branches filtering golden sunlight down in patterns across the dirt. Birds chirped in the distance, and a few squirrels darted between the trees.
Noah kept close, trying to get used to the strange calm that surrounded them.
It was a different kind of silence. One that came with nature, not the oppressive tension of academy halls or classrooms.
Soon, they emerged into a small clearing, where two students waited by a fallen tree. Liam and Theo. Both Silver-tier students.
Liam stood up at once, his brow furrowing as he saw who Arlo had brought. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Theo narrowed his eyes. "You brought him?" he pointed at Noah with his chin, his tone sharp. "This was supposed to be a private outing."
