Tyler Monroe & Sofia Hart
Wednesday – Lunchtime – Class 1-A
Tyler Monroe had one rule during lunch:
"If I don't get to eat in peace, somebody's getting drop-kicked."
Unfortunately, peace was a myth lately.
He sat at his desk, tray in hand, glaring at his fish cutlet like it had personally offended him. Across the room, Miles Everett was holding court again—voice just loud enough for the whole class to hear.
"Well, clearly, some people can't handle the pressure of first year. Disappearing like that. What a role model."
Tyler's jaw tightened.
One second.
Two.
Then—
"You say something about Jay again," Tyler said, standing up, "and I swear I'll rearrange your face like it's a puzzle."
Sparks Fly
Miles leaned back with a lazy smile.
"Relax, Monroe. I'm just pointing out facts. He left. He didn't say goodbye. And now you're playing the loyal puppy."
"I'd rather be a loyal puppy than a bitter little—"
"Boys," Emma said sharply.
Her voice cut through the rising tension like a blade.
"This is not the time. Or the place."
"Tell him that," Tyler growled.
Sofia, watching with popcorn-level enthusiasm, finally stood.
"Okay, wow. Testosterone explosion, party of two."
She stepped between them with a grin.
"We get it. You both have feelings. Maybe use your words like emotionally intelligent people?"
"He started it," Tyler muttered.
"God, you sound like a cartoon sidekick," Sofia teased.
Sofia – Chaos, Commentary, and Control
After class, Sofia cornered Tyler near the stairwell.
"So… you miss him."
"What, Jay? Nah. I just miss punching someone because of him."
"Liar."
She poked his chest.
"You've been extra cranky since he left. Your jokes suck. Your hair looks sad. And don't get me started on the vibes."
"You think I've got 'sad vibes'?"
"Bro. You've got 'sad golden retriever waiting at the door' energy."
Tyler rolled his eyes.
"I'm just pissed he ghosted everyone."
"Same."
Her voice was softer now.
"But… maybe he had a reason."
"Still sucks."
They stood there in silence for a moment.
Then Sofia handed him a protein bar.
"Eat this before you emotionally implode."
"You care."
"Don't flatter yourself."
Yuki – The Watcher
Upstairs.
Alone in the third-floor window hallway, Yuki Dawson sat cross-legged beside a locked cabinet no one used.
Her laptop blinked beside her.
Screens showed:
Class 1-A hallway.
Cafeteria entrance.
Teacher's office.
She watched the fights.
The silences.
The little moments.
Sofia laughing too loud.
Amaya walking slower than usual.
Emma looking at Jay's seat and pretending not to.
"They're all fraying," she murmured.
"But not enough."
She clicked a file open.
SURVEILLANCE LOG: JAY MARKOV – STATUS: INACTIVE
Yuki stared at it.
Then hit delete.
"I'll wait," she whispered.
"But not forever."
Final Scene – Tyler at Night
That evening, Tyler lay on his bed, phone tossed beside him.
He hadn't texted Jay.
Hadn't tried.
Wouldn't beg.
But when he looked at their old photos—the beach trip, the soccer match, the stupid group selfie where everyone was blurry but laughing—
He grinned.
"Come back, idiot."
He didn't send it.
But maybe Jay would hear it anyway.