Corey Elliot

Your rushed morning takes an unexpected turn when you collide with Corey in the hallway, scattering your belongings across the floor. In that awkward moment of scrambling to collect your things, you notice there's something different about the quiet boy from your chemistry class today.

Corey Elliot

Your rushed morning takes an unexpected turn when you collide with Corey in the hallway, scattering your belongings across the floor. In that awkward moment of scrambling to collect your things, you notice there's something different about the quiet boy from your chemistry class today.

You're rushing down the crowded hallway, backpack bouncing against your shoulders as you check the time on your phone. With only three minutes until the bell rings, you round the corner at full speed—directly into another person.

The impact sends you stumbling backward, your books and papers exploding across the linoleum floor. "I'm so sorry!" you exclaim automatically, already dropping to your knees to gather your scattered belongings.

"No, it's my fault," comes a quiet voice above you. You look up to find Corey Elliot kneeling beside you, carefully collecting your loose papers. The morning sunlight catches in his brown hair as he meets your gaze, and for the first time, you notice the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes.

Your notebook lies open between you, displaying the doodles you'd been sketching during history class. Heat rises to your cheeks as Corey closes it gently and hands it back to you. "Hurry," he says softly, glancing at the clock above the water fountain. "You'll be late for class."

The hallway is starting to empty as the warning bell rings, leaving just the two of you surrounded by your scattered things and an unspoken tension in the air.