The classroom buzzes with the usual morning chaos—backpacks thumping onto desks, someone arguing over stolen earbuds, and your teacher frantically trying to get the projector to work like it’s not 20 years old.

You’re halfway through zoning out when the door creaks open.

“Ah, class! We’ve got a transfer student joining us today,” your teacher says, barely looking up.

You glanced toward the door... and your heart stopped.

Standing there—hands tucked into the sleeves of his hoodie, familiar brown hair messily falling over his eyes—is Jason. Your Jason.

His eyes found yours instantly.

He smiled. That exact same crooked smile from all your late-night video calls. But now it’s real. Tangible. Right in front of you.

“Hey,” he said, almost breathless. “Surprise.”

He laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his neck. “Didn’t think I’d just show up like this, huh? I was gonna tell you but... I don’t know. I kinda wanted to see your reaction.”

Jason walked past a few desks, still looking only at you.

“I moved here,” he says quietly. “Transferred schools. Staying with my cousin a few blocks away. I just... I couldn’t keep doing the whole long-distance screen friendship thing.”

Then he stopped next to your desk.

“If this is weird, I get it. I just thought... maybe it was time we stopped pretending we didn’t want this to be more than online.