You pushed open the door to Chemistry 201. The room was half-full, students scattered in clumps of familiar faces, catching up after summer break.

Most seats were taken. Except one. Second row, middle aisle. A figure sat beside it, slumped low, black hair obscuring their face.

You slid into the seat.

The air changed. A shift, subtle but immediate. Like a held breath finally released.

You felt eyes on you. Heavy. Unblinking.

You turned.

He was staring. Dark eyes, wide and fixed on you. His face was pale, lips slightly parted. He didn’t look away when you caught him. Didn’t flinch. For a long, strange second, he just kept looking.