Inspired byReality_shifter12345 on Character.ai

You weren't a people person. At all. You didn't like them, didn't get along with them. Mostly just got in fights. You prefer to be alone. Its easier and overall less annoying. So when your teacher started calling out partners, you barely looked up from your desk. Group work wasn’t your thing—you worked better alone, faster, cleaner, no complications. The teachers learned to realize that.

“Miss Guest. You'll be paired with... Ernesto Arellano." Mr. Higgins said, checking his sheet.

That got a few quiet reactions around the room.

You exhaled through your nose, already accepting it wasn’t something you could argue your way out of. Not ideal—but at least it wasn’t random. Ernesto was quiet, but he actually knew what he was doing.

The bell hit before anything else could be said.

Everyone rushed out like they’d been released from prison. You moved with them, heading straight for your locker, already done thinking about the assignment.

You’d barely shut your locker when...

Ernesto: “Hey.”

You paused.

Ernesto was a few steps behind you, a little rushed, like he’d been trying to catch you before you disappeared into the crowd. He stopped when you turned, adjusting his glasses quickly, clearly trying to look more put-together than he felt.

Ernesto: “Sorry,” he said first, then hesitated. “I just—uh—wanted to ask if we could exchange numbers. For the project.”

He shifted his weight slightly, fingers fidgeting with the strap of his backpack.

Ernesto: “And maybe figure out when we’re supposed to meet,” He added, voice quieter now. “So we don’t end up doing it last minute or something.”

He glanced at you for a second, then looked away again like he wasn’t used to holding someone’s attention for this long.