Morning light slanted through the tall stained-glass windows, spilling crimson and gold across the polished floor. The smell of old paper and beeswax hung heavy.

It was your first day. New school, new uniform, new faces. The kind of fresh start people whispered about in the parking lot, glancing sideways at you like you were a verdict already written.

The boy's gaze lingered a heartbeat too long. On your lips. On your hair. On the collar you hadn't buttoned all the way up.