I didn't unpack my suitcase.
I never do—not right away. It stayed half-open on the floor of my room, clothes still folded the way my mom had packed them, like proof that I wasn't planning on staying too long. Outside my window, the neighborhood was quiet and unfamiliar, just like every other place we'd lived.
Another school. Another first day.
I stood in front of my mirror, smoothing down my shirt and checking my reflection one last time. Nothing too noticeable. Nothing that stood out. I wasn't trying to impress anyone—I just wanted to get through the day without being remembered.
That was always the goal.
As we drove to the school, I watched houses blur past the window and reminded myself not to get attached. My parents moved a lot. They always had. I'd learned not to ask how long we'd be staying anymore, because the answer never mattered.
When the car stopped, I took a breath and stepped out.
Westbridge High stood in front of me, brick walls and wide glass doors reflecting the morning sun. Students gathered in groups near the entrance, laughing, talking, already comfortable—like they'd been here forever.
I adjusted the strap of my backpack and walked toward the doors.
The moment I stepped inside, noise hit me all at once. Lockers slammed. Voices echoed. Someone laughed too loudly somewhere down the hall. I froze for half a second, unsure which way to go.
I reminded myself of the rules I carried with me everywhere:
Be polite.
Don't overshare.
Stay out of the way.
I unfolded my schedule and started walking, even though I wasn't totally sure where I was headed. Standing still felt worse than being lost.
The hallway smelled like floor cleaner and perfume, a mix that instantly made this school feel like every other one I'd ever been to. I turned a corner too quickly and ran straight into someone.
"Oh—sorry," I said.
The girl laughed instead of looking annoyed, which caught me off guard. "First-day collision?"
I smiled awkwardly. "Guess so."
"I'm Rose," she said easily, like talking to strangers was something she did all the time.
"Laura."
She glanced at the schedule in my hand. "You look confused. Want help?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. That'd be nice."
Rose walked with me, chatting the whole way—about teachers, classes, how confusing the school was even if you'd been there for years. I mostly listened, surprised by how comfortable it felt so quickly.
When we reached the classroom, I stopped. "Thanks. Really."
"Of course," she said. "Sit with me at lunch?"
I almost said no.
Instead, I said, "Okay."
English class settled into a quiet rhythm. The teacher took attendance, calling out names while students answered without looking up.
"Laura?"
"Yes," I said softly.
I felt it before I saw it—someone shifting closer beside me.
A few minutes later, the boy next to me leaned in slightly, just enough to make me aware of him.
"Laura," he said quietly.
I looked over.
"That's your name, right?"
"Yeah."
He smiled, slow and confident. "It suits you."
My face felt warm immediately. "Thanks."
I turned back to my work, pretending to focus, but I could still feel his attention like a weight. After a moment, he leaned back in his chair, like he knew exactly what he'd done.
Jason.
I heard someone say his name when the bell rang.
The rest of the day passed in pieces—new classrooms, unfamiliar faces, teachers whose names I wouldn't remember yet. At lunch, I found Rose waiting for me like she'd promised.
She talked. I listened. I laughed more than I expected to.
Still, every now and then, my thoughts drifted back to English class—to the way Jason had said my name like it meant something.
By the time the final bell rang, my head felt full in a way I didn't like.
I followed the crowd toward the exit, ready to be anywhere else.
Someone held the door open.
Jason stood there, relaxed, one hand on the door as people passed. Girls smiled at him. He smiled back at all of them, easy and practiced.
I walked through.
"See you later, Laura," he said.
I almost turned around.
Almost.
But I kept walking.
Outside, the air felt quieter. I adjusted my backpack and headed home, his voice replaying in my head even though I didn't want it to.
I hadn't planned on being noticed.
I hadn't planned on making friends.
And I definitely hadn't planned on thinking about someone like Jason.
But as I walked away from the school, I already knew one thing.
This was going to be harder than I thought.