FOUND YOU

The first day of senior year always carried a strange kind of energy.

Lockers slammed open and shut like impatient drums. Students rushed through the hallways with nervous laughter, new shoes squeaking against polished floors. Some people walked in with confidence, already claiming the year as theirs. Others tried to disappear into the background, hoping the year would pass quietly.

Naomi Nelson belonged somewhere in between.

She walked through the hallway of Brookshire High School with her backpack slung over one shoulder, her long dark hair falling loosely down her back. Her eyes moved carefully from one group of students to another, taking everything in while pretending not to notice anything at all.

It was her first year here.

Transfers always felt like outsiders at first. Naomi knew that. She had changed schools before. But something about this place felt heavier, like everyone already had their circles drawn and their loyalties decided.

She stopped in front of locker 317, twisting the small lock open.

"New girl?"

Naomi turned.

A tall girl with curly hair leaned against the locker beside hers, studying her like a curious detective.

"Yeah," Naomi said politely.

"I'm Lila," the girl said with a friendly smile. "You transferred this year?"

Naomi nodded. "My dad got transferred here for work."

"Well," Lila said, pushing herself off the locker, "Brookshire High can be... interesting."

"Interesting?" Naomi asked.

Lila grinned.

"You'll see."

Before Naomi could ask what she meant, the hallway suddenly changed.

It wasn't loud exactly.

But conversations lowered.

A small ripple moved through the crowd like a quiet wave.

Naomi looked down the hallway.

A group of boys walked in together, laughing about something. But one of them stood out immediately.

He wasn't trying to be noticed.

In fact, he looked almost bored.

Tall. Dark hair slightly messy. Hands casually tucked in his pockets. His expression calm, like nothing around him could possibly surprise him anymore.

But everyone noticed him.

Even Naomi.

"Who's that?" she asked quietly.

Lila followed her gaze.

"Oh," she said, rolling her eyes. "That's Ethan Cole."

Naomi looked again.

Something about him felt... different.

"Why does everyone look at him like that?" Naomi asked.

Lila leaned closer.

"Because Ethan Cole is basically the king of Brookshire High."

Naomi raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously?"

Lila nodded.

"Top grades. Captain of the basketball team. Teachers love him. Girls love him more." She paused. "And he barely talks to anyone."

Naomi watched as Ethan walked past their row of lockers.

For a brief second, his eyes moved across the hallway.

And then they met hers.

The moment lasted less than a second.

But Naomi felt it.

A strange pause.

Like the world had quietly skipped a heartbeat.

Then Ethan looked away and kept walking.

Lila smirked.

"Well," she said, "looks like the king noticed the new girl."

Naomi rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure he didn't."

But something about that glance stayed with her.

Something she couldn't explain.

The first class of the day was English Literature.

Naomi walked into the classroom, scanning the room for an empty seat.

Most desks were already taken.

Except one.

Right by the window.

And right beside Ethan Cole.

Naomi hesitated.

Of course.

Just her luck.

But there were no other options.

So she walked over and sat down.

Ethan didn't even look up from the book in front of him.

For a few minutes, the room filled with the low murmur of students chatting before class started.

Naomi opened her notebook.

She tried to focus on the blank page.

But she could feel it.

That strange awareness when someone sits beside you.

Finally, Ethan spoke.

Without looking at her.

"You're new."

His voice was calm. Deep. Slightly curious.

Naomi blinked.

"Yes."

He turned the page of his book.

"Where did you transfer from?"

"Riverside High."

That made him glance at her.

For the first time, Naomi noticed how sharp his eyes were. Dark. Observant.

"Riverside?" he said. "That's across the state."

"My dad's job moved us."

Ethan nodded once.

Then he went back to reading.

Conversation over.

Naomi almost laughed.

So that was Ethan Cole.

Mysterious. Quiet. Slightly rude.

Just as she turned back to her notebook, Ethan spoke again.

"You chose the wrong seat."

Naomi frowned.

"What?"

He tilted his head slightly toward the door.