Third period dragged on, and even Mr. Hanley's usual enthusiasm for cellular respiration couldn't save me from zoning out. My mind kept drifting back to the new guy—Kieran Hoshino. He hadn't spoken a word since his cold introduction, hadn't looked at anyone else… except me.
I didn't like the way it made me feel—nervous, exposed, curious.
When the lunch bell finally rang, I bolted from the classroom. Clara was already waiting by the lockers with her tray of spicy noodles and a bottle of juice she definitely didn't pay for.
"Okay, spill," she said, falling into step beside me. "You and the transfer—what was that back there?"
"What was what?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't play dumb. You saw each other. Like, really saw each other."
I ignored her and focused on avoiding the chaotic lunchtime crowd. But then, halfway to the cafeteria, I felt it again—that strange prickle at the back of my neck.
I glanced to my left.
And there he was.
Kieran leaned against the hallway window, arms crossed, earbuds in. His gaze wasn't wandering like the other students'. No, it was fixed—on me. Like I was some puzzle he couldn't figure out.
My heart stuttered.
"What the hell…" I muttered.
Clara leaned in. "He's totally eye-f**king you."
"Clara!"
"What? I call it like I see it."
I didn't respond, because in that moment, Kieran pushed off the wall and started walking—straight toward us.
Clara instinctively stepped aside, smirking like this was the drama she'd ordered for lunch.
Kieran stopped just inches from me. He didn't speak at first, just stared with those stormy eyes of his.
"You're Leo Takahashi, right?" he asked, voice low but sharp. Smooth like velvet with something dangerous beneath.
I nodded slowly, caught off guard. "Yeah… and you're the mysterious loner?"
His lips twitched—maybe the start of a smirk. "Something like that."
Then, without another word, he walked past me like nothing had happened.
But something had.
I could feel it.
And I had no idea what was coming next.