The quad at Beverly Hills High was buzzing like always, but today the air felt different—hotter, stickier, like the Santa Ana winds were already pushing through the palm trees in late September.

Y/n stood by the low concrete wall near the senior steps, twirling a silver pen between her fingers. Cher was beside her, halfway through a story about her dad's new paralegal, but Y/n's attention kept drifting.

Across the quad, Elton Tiscia was holding court near the vending machines, laughing too loud and tossing a football with Dionne's boyfriend, Murray. He caught Y/n looking.

He grinned, that slow, knowing grin, and started walking over.