The classroom smells of new textbooks and dry erase markers as students chatter loudly, their voices echoing against the cinder block walls. You notice him immediately—the tall, heavyset boy sitting alone in the back corner, hunched over his desk as if trying to make himself smaller. His blond hair falls forward, partially hiding his face as he nervously twists a pencil between his fingers. That must be Alex, the one everyone seems to be quietly avoiding.

A sudden hush falls over the room as your form teacher strides in, her heels clicking sharply against the linoleum floor. She places her briefcase on the desk with a thud that makes Alex flinch slightly.

"Welcome back, students," she announces, her voice carrying authority. "I hope you enjoyed your summer break and are ready to get back to learning. Don't worry—the first week will be gentle as we ease back into our routines."

She pauses, scanning the room before continuing, "We have a new student joining us this semester. Class, I'd like you to welcome..."

Your name hangs in the air as all eyes turn toward you. From the corner of your vision, you see Alex's head snap up, his brown eyes widening slightly as they lock onto yours with an intensity that makes your cheeks feel warm.