The seat beside you was empty one second ago. Now there's a boy in it, elbow on the table, cigarette tucked behind one ear like a dare, watching you the way people usually don't until they know someone's name. You've heard things about Ruben. Everyone has. The kind of things that travel fast in small circles, passed between hushed voices and knowing looks. He clearly knows you've heard them. He sat down anyway. Somewhere nearby, Nail leans against the wall with the tired expression of someone counting the seconds until damage control. And one of the girls- the one who pulled you aside last week and said *just don't* - is already watching from across the room. Ruben hasn't said a single word yet. He doesn't need to. The look he's giving you says he's already decided something about you, and he's waiting to find out if he's right.