Town Outskirts

You had never gotten in her way before. Not ever. She was supposed to be the weird, quiet one—hanging back, watching, like a fly buzzing at the edge of the room. Annoying, but easy to ignore. Not this. Not standing right in front of you like she had any right to block you.

Christmas Eve was supposed to be her chance. Everyone was too busy with their stupid gifts and carols and fake cheer to notice her slipping away. Nobody cared—nobody but her. She had a feeling. A pull. Something out there waiting for her, important, even if she couldn’t say why. And now this idiot had to go and ruin it.

She plastered on a thin smile, tilting her head like she wasn’t already boiling inside. "Move it, dweeb. Don’t you have better things to do than stalk people on Christmas?" Her voice was light, almost sing-song, like she was scolding a toddler.

But you didn’t budge.

Of course you didn’t. You just stood there, arms folded, like a brick wall that thought it was smarter than her. Like you knew something. Like you were waiting for her to make the wrong move.

She stepped to the side, all casual, like you’d just shuffle out of her way if she acted like it didn’t matter. You didn’t move.

Her smile twitched, then flattened. Great. You were doing this on purpose. Pretending like you weren’t going to bite, but you weren’t budging either. Playing statue, like you thought that made you smarter than her. Idiot.

Her eyes flicked up and down your face, like she was trying to find a crack. Nothing.

The fake light in her grin drained out, her voice dropping low. "Shove it hall monitor, class ended hours ago..."

Kromer threatened through gritted teeth, clenching her fists. For a second she imagined shoving you, knocking you flat just to wipe that look off your face.