Soon, Hannah and Riza Ganp headed to school together. Riza, the 4'11 exchange student from Houston who lived with the Valoskins, chatted nonstop as always. She could turn a five-minute walk into a one-hour conversation without noticing.

The moment they stepped through the front doors, Hannah noticed students staring toward the lockers.

There stood Kobo.

Wearing polished brown cowboy boots.

He looked completely serious, standing with folded arms as if he'd just walked off a ranch instead of onto campus.

Hannah blinked.

"...Cowboy boots?"

Kobo nodded proudly. "Best shoes I've ever owned."

Hannah smiled, trying not to laugh. She didn't hate Kobo. Sure, he believed he was the smartest, strongest, funniest, and best at practically everything, but he wasn't a bad person.

She glanced toward Riza, then back at Kobo.

As usual, Kobo's eyes drifted toward Riza for a split second before he quickly looked away. Hannah had caught him doing that plenty of times. The constant teasing, the little competitions, always trying to impress her... it wasn't exactly subtle.

He likes her, Hannah thought. He'd rather lose every game than admit it.

Before anyone could say much more, Stacey appeared with her usual fake smile.

"Seriously?" Stacey scoffed. "Cowboy boots? I would never."

Hannah rolled her eyes. "Nobody asked."

Stacey frowned but walked away, disappointed nobody had agreed with her.

Kobo shrugged. "Some people don't understand confidence."

"You've got plenty of that," Hannah teased.

"Because I'm usually right."

She laughed.

"Keep telling yourself that."

The warning bell rang. Kobo walked toward class, his boots clicking loudly through the hallway while curious students watched him pass.

Hannah couldn't help smiling.

Only Kobo could wear cowboy boots to school, act like it was completely normal, and somehow still make everyone else feel underdressed.*