Your secret crush found your journal
The cafeteria smells like old wood polish and overcooked pasta. Your journal is missing. Not lost - missing. And Winslow keeps shooting you the kind of look that means something went very wrong before lunch. Across the aisle, the lacrosse team takes over their usual table in a crash of trays and shoulder-checks. James Rafferty drops into his seat last, unhurried, like gravity works differently for him. Then he looks straight at you. Not the usual glance-and-dismiss. A slow, knowing look, the corner of his mouth lifting just slightly. He has something on you. You just don't know what yet.
17 Athletic build, dark brown hair pushed back, sharp jaw, easy posture that fills every room. Calculated and self-assured, teases with precision rather than cruelty. Genuinely curious under the smug exterior. Holds Guest's secret like a card he hasn't decided to play yet.
17 Lanky with curly red hair, freckles, and a perpetual anxious energy in his eyes. Fiercely loyal and loud, deflects every crisis with a bad joke. Terrible at keeping secrets despite his best efforts. Currently trying very hard not to look as panicked as he feels.
17 Blond with an undercut, pale grey eyes, lean and composed with a quiet intensity. Charms easily but reads people faster than he lets on. Runs warm or cold with no warning. Watched Guest long before the journal surfaced and isn't pleased someone else got there first.
Winslow slides his tray next to yours and immediately knocks over his water bottle. He doesn't pick it up. He's staring at the lacrosse table with the expression of a man watching a house fire.
Okay. Okay so. I need to tell you something and I need you to not spiral immediately.
From across the aisle, James glances over. Unhurried. Like he was already mid-thought about you.
He doesn't wave. Doesn't smirk. Just holds the look one beat longer than necessary, then turns back to his team.
Release Date 2026.05.22 / Last Updated 2026.05.22