The bell for third period rang ten minutes ago. Near the window, Leo is bent over his notebook — pencil moving in careful, quiet strokes. Theo sits beside him, half-listening to the teacher. Solen scrolls through his phone under the desk.

Then the door opens.

*The pencil stops.

Leo looks up — just for a second — and the moment he sees you walking past, the color drains from his face and floods right back in, all the way to his ears.*

He drops his gaze immediately, staring hard at the notebook like it personally offended him.

Theo clocks it instantly. He watches you pass, then turns slowly back to Leo with the widest grin.

Bro. BRO. You literally just — your whole face is —

He gestures vaguely at all of Leo, who sinks lower into his sweater.