As we made our way down the crowded hallway, the whispers trailed after me once again—phones subtly lifted, quick snapshots taken when people believed I wasn’t paying attention. This time, however, the comments weren’t solely directed at me. I caught several students murmuring about Lucian as well: girls (and a few guys) quietly noting how attractive he was, how he had apparently been a standout track star at his previous school. The attention made me glance sideways at him, curiosity piqued.

  “So… are you planning to join the track team here?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.

  He turned to me, visibly surprised. “Yeah. How did you know?”

  I nodded toward the clusters of students around us—some still openly staring, others whispering behind their hands. “I overheard people talking. They’re saying you’re a big-deal track star from your old school. Am I going to need to start asking for your autograph now?” I added with a grin.

  He laughed and gave me a playful shove. I stumbled sideways a step, catching my balance against a locker. “I forgot how freakishly good your hearing is,” he said, then pointed at my chest with mock seriousness. “Sure, I’ll sign right here if you want. But yes—Luna and I won a few tournaments back there. We even set some records.”

  “Nice,” I replied, already feeling a spark of genuine excitement at the thought of seeing her again. “How’s Luna doing?”

  Lucian pulled me back from the memories that had begun to surface. “She’s good. She’s around here somewhere. You’ll probably run into her at lunch.”

  I scanned the hallway instinctively, half hoping to spot her familiar figure. “Has she changed much?”

  He snorted. “Hell no. Still a pain in my ass, still as bull-headed as ever.”

  I laughed as we rounded the corner.

  That was when it happened—someone rushing in the opposite direction slammed straight into me. The impact nearly knocked me flat, but Lucian grabbed my arm just in time. The other person wasn’t so fortunate. She stumbled backward, books flying from her arms and scattering across the floor.

  She growled, already bending to retrieve them. “Damn it, watch where you—”

  Her words died the moment our eyes met.

  Those unmistakable golden eyes hit me first. Then the rest of her face registered.

  It was Luna.

  But this was not the Luna I remembered.

  The boyish edges had vanished. Her once-short dark-brown bob had grown into a long, sleek ponytail that swayed behind her as she moved. No makeup that I could see, yet she didn’t need it—her features had sharpened into something striking, confident, almost unfairly attractive. She was still athletic, still unmistakably herself, but the transformation was undeniable. She looked… beautiful. Like a completely different person.

  We both froze, speechless, staring at each other in the middle of the hallway chaos.

  I hesitated, the words catching in my throat.

  “H-Hello, Luna.”

  She blinked out of her own daze. “Oh my god… Meleek?”

  Before I could process it, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around me in a fierce hug. The hallway noise faded into the background; I felt every pair of eyes snap to us. I tensed for a second—uncertain—then gave in, my hands settling lightly on her waist.

  The embrace lingered longer than a casual hello should have. I chuckled softly against her shoulder. “Guess you missed me?”

  I pulled back with a smile, taking her in again. She looked incredible. “Wow. You look good. Like, really good. You actually look like a girl now. These five years were kind to you.” I crouched to help gather her scattered books.

  She narrowed her eyes, but a playful smile tugged at her lips. “Oh, shut up, Keebler.” She dropped down beside me to help. “It’s been five years. You’ve changed too. You were such a tiny, nerdy kid—now you’re taller than me and Lucian.” She glanced up. “What are you, six foot?”

  I winced at the old nickname and quickly scanned the hallway, hoping no one had caught it. “Keebler” had been the go-to taunt back in the day—the elf jokes never got old for bullies. I hated it then, and it still stung a little now.

  Lucian jumped in before I could respond. “I’m six-four. He’s a little shorter than me.”

  I stood, clutching a couple of her books. “Six-two, actually. And I’ve officially moved past the nerdy phase.” I handed them over with a grin. “So… I hear from Lucian you two are famous track stars now?”

  Luna rolled her eyes as she took the books. “As famous as you can get in a small Canadian city.” She turned to Lucian, brow furrowing. “Where are you going? Our class is the other way.”

  He pointed down the hall. “Showing Meleek to Mrs. Andrews’s room.”

  She scoffed. “Oh god. The Test Witch. I just came from there.”

  I glanced between them, nerves kicking in. “Is she really that bad?”

  Lucian grinned and clapped a hand on my shoulder, steering me forward. “You’ll see.”

  As we walked, I could barely focus on the conversation. My eyes kept drifting to Luna—how she moved now, confident and graceful, ponytail swinging with each step. She seemed just as distracted, stealing glances at me like she was still confirming I was real.

  “So… what do you think?” Lucian asked, snapping me back.

  I blinked. “Sorry, what?”

  Luna chuckled under her breath, and Lucian shot her a confused look. “I was asking if you’re going to try out for the track team here. What electives did you pick?”

  I scratched the back of my head, gazing out the windows as we passed. The football stadium loomed in the distance. “Uh… I wasn’t sure what to take, so I went with swimming. Always liked it. But… how do I try out for track?”

  Truth was, I wasn’t that interested. I’d only consider it to spend time around them.

  Lucian laughed. “Wow. You really heard none of that earlier?”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  I gave him an apologetic shrug. Luna looked away, smiling like she knew exactly why I was zoning out.

  “Well,” he continued, “there’s a group meeting after school to try out for a few events. I can talk to the coach about getting you in—if you’re actually interested.”

  I hesitated, rubbing my neck again. “I don’t know… My parents are picking me up after school.”

  He squeezed my shoulder. “No problem. I can drive you home if you want.”

  “Okay. Sure. I’ll call them and let them know.” I glanced between the two of them. “They’d probably love to see you both anyway.”

  “Cool.” We reached the classroom door. “Here you go. Guess we’ll see you later.”

  He gave me a quick pat on the back. They turned to leave.

  I couldn’t help it—I watched Luna walk away. She was almost unrecognizable from the girl I knew, yet somehow still her. She glanced back, caught me staring, and flashed a small wave. Then she turned forward again, a little skip in her step.

  I was still staring after Luna when a voice startled me from the side.

  “Might want to give up on her. She doesn’t like guys.”

  I jumped, turning to find a slightly shorter guy with curly black hair standing way too close. There was a faint smell of cigarettes clinging to him.

  “What?” I asked, genuinely thrown.

  He nodded down the hall toward Lucian and Luna, who were disappearing around the corner. “Luna. She’s a lesbian. Only dates girls.”

  I rolled my eyes and let out a quiet sigh. The rumors were already starting here too—just like the old school. Back then, people said the same thing because of how she looked: short hair, tomboy clothes, zero interest in boys. One of a dozen stupid labels they slapped on her. Honestly, part of me used to wonder if it was true. She’d always shut down any talk about guys.

  Still, I remembered her telling me point-blank when we were kids: “I’m not a lesbian, Keebler. I just don’t like idiots.” Who knows what five years might’ve changed, though.

  I chuckled, more to myself than him. “I seriously doubt that. I know her better than that.”

  He shrugged like it was no big deal. “Ask her. That’s what she tells everyone.”

  “Okay. I will.” My tone edged toward annoyance.

  He stuck out his hand. “I’m Anthony.”

  “Meleek,” I said, shaking it reluctantly.

  He smirked. “Yeah. Everyone knows who you are.”

  We both stepped into the classroom. An older woman—late fifties, greying black hair pulled into a severe bun—waited just inside the door. Her breath hit me first: stale coffee mixed with cigarette smoke. She had the kind of stern face that looked permanently set to “disappointed.”

  “Greetings, Meleek. I’m your English teacher, Mrs. Andrews,” she said flatly.

  Anthony slipped past us and headed straight for a seat in the back.

  “Hello,” I replied, forcing a small smile despite the smell.

  She handed me a thick textbook without ceremony. “Here’s your book. Sit anywhere that’s open.” Her expression didn’t budge—stern, unreadable. I couldn’t tell if this was just how she was, or if she was deliberately treating me like any other student. Either way, I appreciated it.

  I headed straight for the back row, same as always. Less chance of everyone turning to stare and whisper. I spotted Anthony already there, and from the quick hopeful glance he threw my way, he was clearly expecting me to sit next to him.

  I didn’t.

  I took the seat by the window instead, leaving an empty desk between us. I pulled out my spiral notebook, ready to actually focus this time—no more Q&A sessions.

  Then Brennen walked in, holding the hand of a very familiar girl: Mia. She was just as striking as I remembered—long dark hair, quiet confidence, those sharp features that always made her look older than she was.

  Anthony leaned over the empty desk between us and whispered, “That’s Mia. Super smart, super sexy… but she’s blind.”

  I shot him a look, irritation flaring. “Yeah. I know Mia. We’re good friends.”

  He blinked, clearly surprised, then leaned back with a faint smirk, like he was filing that away for later.

  I turned my attention back to Mia and Brennen as they made their way to seats near the front. She tilted her head slightly, listening to the room, and I wondered if she’d sense me here before someone told her.

  Mrs. Andrews pointed to the empty seat between Anthony and me. Brennen gently guided Mia toward it. As they got closer, he spotted me and broke into a grin.

  “Hey, Meleek. Mind if Mia sits next to you?”

  “Of course not,” I said, smiling at her. “As long as Mia’s okay with it.”

  She paused at the sound of my voice, then returned the smile as Brennen helped her settle into the chair. “Mia, careful with this one,” he teased, shooting me a smirk. “He’s kind of a flirt.”

  Mia tilted her head toward me, her icy blue eyes catching the light even though they didn’t quite focus. “Guess I’ll have to stay extra cautious around you, Meleek,” she said, her voice light and a little playful, almost childlike.

  I laughed. “I’m pretty harmless, promise.”

  She chuckled softly and started pulling out her things. Her oversized Braille textbook was bulky, and she had a specialized laptop for notes. The desk was already too small; her book slipped off the edge and thudded to the floor. I caught the quick flash of frustration on her face.

  I stood immediately, picked up the book, and slid my desk right next to hers to give her more space. I glanced at Mrs. Andrews for permission—she gave a single nod, approving.

  Mia turned slightly in my direction. “Thank you. I heard from Kylie your parents finally let you come to school. I just never thought we’d end up in the same class.”

  I chuckled. “Honestly, I never thought I’d be in any classroom. I’m glad it’s one with someone I know.” I caught myself and added quickly, “I mean… you know, a familiar face.”

  She laughed, soft and teasing. “It’s not because you still have a crush on me, is it?”

  My mouth opened, caught completely off guard. Heat crept up my neck. Maybe a little, I thought, but there was no way I was admitting that.

  I forced a laugh and glanced around to see if anyone overheard. “Wow. You’re really not letting that go, huh? And no—I don’t have a crush on you anymore.”

  “Uh-huh,” she replied, clearly unconvinced, as she went back to arranging her things with a playful smile.

  As I watched her work—fingers moving confidently over the Braille, laptop keys clicking softly—I noticed her scent again. It was unique: sweet and floral, like jasmine and vanilla, but with a faint metallic undertone, almost like copper or blood. It was subtle, strange, but oddly pleasant.

  Class started, and I was still distracted by how smoothly she navigated her setup. She must have sensed me staring because she turned my way.

  “Meleek,” she whispered, “you might want to take notes. I hear she gives a lot of tests.”

  My face heated up. Busted. “Oh—sorry. You had me distracted.”

  “I figured,” she said, that teasing smile back in place.

  I realized how that sounded. “I mean—I like watching you work.” Worse. “I mean… never mind. I’m just gonna shut up now.”

  She laughed quietly, delighted. “It’s okay. I know what you mean.”

  Mrs. Andrews cleared her throat loudly from the front. “Don’t make me regret letting you two sit together.”

  A few people chuckled, glancing back at us with smiles.

  Before I could stammer an apology, Mia spoke up. “Sorry, Mrs. Andrews. I had a quick question about what you said. Meleek was just helping me out.”

  To my surprise, Mrs. Andrews actually softened—a small, rare smile. “All right. Thank you for helping, Meleek. Next time, keep it quieter, please.” The smile vanished as she looked at me, stern again.

  I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry, ma’am.”

  She turned back to the board, and I leaned over to Mia. “Thanks for the cover.”

  She gave a tiny nod, and we both settled in to take notes.

  The class dragged on with lectures and warnings about upcoming tests. When the bell finally rang, I helped Mia pack up—carefully stacking her Braille book and sliding her laptop into its case. As we headed out together, a couple of students intercepted me with more elf questions.

  I answered them quickly, keeping it light. Mia stayed close, listening, her head tilted slightly like she was taking it all in. Every now and then she glanced my way, a small, knowing smile on her lips.

  Once the last of the elf-question crowd drifted away, Mia turned toward me with a small, amused smile.

  “So… you’re the elf I keep hearing about?”

  I narrowed my eyes for a split second—why was she pretending we were strangers?—but I played along. “Hopefully all good things.”

  “Other than you being a shameless flirt? Oh yeah.” She teased, her tone light.

  I grinned. “Oh really? Now I’m intrigued. Spill—what exactly are they saying?”

  She giggled softly. “They say you’re pretty funny… and some of the girls think you’re hot.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, laughing, but Brennen stepped up beside her.

  “Meleek,” he said, mock-serious, “I hope you behaved yourself with Mia.”

  “Come on, I’m not that bad, am I?” I shot back with a smile.

  Mia chuckled. “You’re certainly fun to talk to.”

  Brennen took her hand gently. “So, Mia—you ready to eat? I’m starving.”

  “Yes, please,” she said, her voice bright. “I’m starving too.”

  Brennen’s smile widened, and I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering if he liked her more than he was letting on. Were they dating? She was eighteen—how old was he, really?

  Mia started to turn toward me—maybe to say goodbye—but I cut in before she could.

  “If you two don’t mind, can I tag along? I don’t really have any friends here yet. Would be nice to get to know you both better.”