The hallway of Maplewood High School was already loud even though the first bell hadn't rung yet.
Students walked in groups, laughing, complaining about homework, and rushing to their lockers before class started. Lockers slammed shut every few seconds, creating a rhythm that filled the corridor.
In the middle of all this chaos, Yuri was trying very hard not to trip while running down the hallway.
"Move please! Emergency coming through!" she said dramatically while holding her backpack with one hand and a half-eaten sandwich with the other.
Two students stepped aside, laughing.
"Yuri, you're going to fall one day," someone called.
"Not today!" she replied confidently.
Yuri was known around school for many things.
She wasn't the quiet, mysterious type that people whispered about in the halls. She was something much simpler.
She was funny.
Sometimes intentionally. Sometimes completely by accident.
Her jokes, dramatic reactions, and random comments often made people laugh—even teachers sometimes struggled not to smile when she said something unexpected in class.
But the thing people talked about even more than Yuri's personality was her relationship.
Near the lockers at the end of the hallway stood Ezra.
Unlike Yuri, Ezra looked perfectly calm.
He leaned against a locker with his arms crossed, occasionally glancing at his phone and then back toward the hallway entrance.
He had already checked the time three times.
When he finally saw Yuri running toward him, slightly out of breath, he sighed.
"You're late again," he said.
Yuri stopped in front of him and held up one finger dramatically.
"First of all," she said, breathing heavily, "good morning."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Second," Yuri continued, "I was saving this sandwich from being wasted."
"You were eating while running."
"Exactly," she said proudly. "Multitasking."
Ezra shook his head, but a small smile appeared on his face.
"Yuri, normal people eat breakfast before coming to school."
"Normal people are boring," she replied instantly.
Ezra couldn't argue with that.
Around school, people often noticed the two of them together. Yuri and Ezra had been dating for several months, and most students already knew about it.
Some even called them the perfect couple.
But it wasn't because they showed off their relationship.
It was because they looked comfortable together.
Ezra was calm and thoughtful.
Yuri was energetic and unpredictable.
Somehow, the contrast worked perfectly.
Ezra opened his locker while Yuri leaned against the one next to it.
"You studied for the math test?" she asked.
Ezra froze for a second.
"…Define studied."
Yuri slowly turned her head toward him.
"Ezra."
"I thought about studying," he said.
"That doesn't count."
"It should."
Yuri stared at him for a moment before dramatically covering her face.
"I can't believe I'm dating someone this irresponsible."
Ezra chuckled.
"You didn't study either."
Yuri immediately straightened up.
"That's not true."
"You told me yesterday you were 'mentally preparing.'"
"That is studying," she insisted.
Before Ezra could respond, a familiar voice spoke from behind them.
"Are you two arguing again?"
They turned to see Michael walking toward them.
Michael had an easy confidence about him. He walked like someone who didn't worry too much about what others thought.
He was also one of Ezra's closest friends.
"Morning," Michael said casually.
"Morning," Ezra replied.
Yuri gave a small wave.
"Hi."
Michael glanced at Yuri's sandwich.
"You're eating in the hallway again?"
"It's called survival," Yuri said.
"You woke up late again, didn't you?"
"…Maybe."
Michael laughed quietly.
The three of them began walking toward their classroom together.
Michael mostly talked with Ezra about school and sports, while Yuri occasionally joined the conversation.
Despite being in the same friend group, Yuri and Michael weren't especially close. They were friendly, but they didn't spend much time talking alone.
Most of Yuri's conversations were with Ezra.
As they walked, Yuri suddenly stopped.
"Wait," she said.
Ezra turned.
"What?"
"I forgot something."
"What?"
Yuri stared at him seriously.
"I forgot to panic about the math test."
Ezra groaned.
"Yuri—"
"I'm panicking now," she continued dramatically. "This is bad."
Michael laughed.
"You should have studied."
"You sound like a teacher."
"Maybe I should become one."
"Please don't," Yuri said quickly. "Students deserve happiness."
By the time they reached the classroom, the bell rang.
Michael stopped near the door.
"I'll see you guys later," he said.
Ezra nodded.
"Yeah."
Yuri gave a quick wave before following Ezra inside.
The classroom buzzed with conversation as students took their seats.
Yuri dropped into her chair and leaned back dramatically.
"School should start at ten," she announced.
Ezra sat beside her.
"You say that every day."
"And I'll keep saying it until the school listens."
Ezra opened his notebook.
"You're not worried about the math test at all?"
Yuri leaned closer and whispered,
"I'm extremely worried."
"Then why are you joking?"
"Because panic is more fun when shared."
Ezra laughed softly.
Moments later the teacher walked into the room, and the class quickly became quiet.
But even during the lesson, Yuri occasionally whispered comments to Ezra that made him struggle not to laugh.
Later that afternoon, when school finally ended, Yuri walked home while scrolling through her phone.
The sky was turning orange as the sun slowly began to set.
Her phone buzzed.
A message appeared from Yuki.
Yuki:
How was school today?
Yuri smiled and typed quickly.
Yuri:
Normal. Ezra didn't study again.
A few seconds later the reply appeared.
Yuki:
Poor Ezra.
Yuri laughed quietly.
Yuri:
Poor me. I'm dating him.
She set her phone down and looked out the window.
Everything in her life felt simple.
School.
Friends.
Ezra.
Nothing seemed complicated.
Nothing seemed like it could suddenly change.
But sometimes the most peaceful beginnings hide the most unexpected stories.
Because soon, four hearts would begin to collide.
And none of them were ready for what was coming.