The hallway noise bleeds into white noise. Solene doesn't look up from her locker when you approach, but her shoulders shift — just barely. She knew.

She pulls out a textbook, spine facing you, still not turning.

Took you long enough. I could feel you staring from all the way down the hall.

Now she turns. Eyes right on yours. That small, unbothered look she does.

So. You gonna say whatever you've been rehearsing, or are we doing the staring thing today?