Andrew woke before the alarm had a chance to ring. The dorm room was still dark, the only sounds coming from Marcus's uneven snoring and Eli mumbling incoherently in his sleep. Chris hadn't moved at all since they'd gone to bed.
He sat up quietly and followed the routine his body had memorized years ago. He folded his blanket with perfect precision, smoothed every crease from the sheets, changed into his workout clothes, grabbed the gym bag beneath his bed, and slipped out of the room without making a sound.
The campus was almost empty. A cool breeze drifted across the football field as the first hints of sunlight peeked over the horizon. Andrew started jogging, settling into a pace that felt effortless. One lap became three, then five, until running turned into sprints, push-ups, pull-ups, and every other exercise he'd repeated thousands of times before. There was no excitement in it anymore. He simply moved because that was what he was supposed to do.
A handful of students passed during their own morning runs.
Who's that?
No idea.
I think he's the new guy.
Andrew never looked up.
By the time he finished, sweat clung to his forehead and his breathing had finally deepened. He headed toward the locker room, hoping it would still be empty.
It was.
Just to be sure, he glanced around before stepping inside. Every shower stall was vacant. Satisfied, he placed his bag on the bench and turned on the water.
His showers never lasted long. Five minutes was enough.
When he finished drying off, he unzipped his bag and reached for the roll of athletic tape resting inside. His hands moved automatically, wrapping it around his chest with practiced precision.
He didn't need it anymore.
Not really.
Years of training had changed his body enough that the tape barely made a difference now. Most people probably wouldn't notice even without it.
Still, every morning followed the same order.
Shower.
Tape.
Shirt.
Leave.
It wasn't a decision anymore. It was routine. After years of doing it every single day, getting dressed without it felt... wrong.
Andrew pulled on a fitted black T-shirt, adjusted the fabric once, and looked at himself in the mirror. Everything looked the way it was supposed to.
He picked up his bag and left.
A few minutes later, sleepy voices echoed down the hallway as the rest of the boys wandered into the locker room.
Andrew was already gone.
When he returned to the dorm, it was exactly as chaotic as he'd expected.
Where's my other shoe? Eli shouted, pulling clothes out of his locker one after another.
Marcus didn't even bother looking up. You're wearing it.
Eli froze, looked down at his feet, and sighed. ...Right.
Chris turned another page in the novel resting on his lap. I'm starting to think you lose brain cells overnight.
I haven't had breakfast yet.
You say that every morning.
It's always true.
Marcus finally noticed Andrew setting his bag beside his bed.
There he is. He checked the clock on the wall before looking back at Andrew. What time did you wake up?
Five-thirty.
Marcus stared at him for a second. That's not healthy.
I slept.
For how long?
Andrew shrugged.
Enough.
Marcus looked at Chris. See what I mean? Talking to him is like talking to customer service.
Chris chuckled. At least customer service pretends to care.
Andrew looked between them.
...Was that supposed to be funny?
Marcus burst into laughter.
Oh, we're keeping him.
Eli finally found the towel he'd been searching for tucked inside his pillowcase.
...How does that even happen?
No one knows, Chris replied.
Not even science.
The four of them left together, joining the growing crowd of students filling the hallways. Conversations echoed around them as people hurried toward breakfast, some still half asleep while others were already arguing about homework or football practice.
The cafeteria was packed by the time they arrived.
Marcus grabbed a tray and looked back at Andrew. The food isn't amazing, but it's edible. Most of the time.
You're really selling it, Chris muttered.
I'm setting realistic expectations.
They found an empty table near the windows and sat down.
Andrew had barely started eating when a conversation from the next table drifted over.
Who's the new guy?
I don't know.
I heard Coach recruited him.
Nah, I heard he transferred from another boarding school.
My roommate said he got expelled.
For what?
No clue.
I heard he broke someone's jaw.
Oh, come on.
I'm serious!
Marcus smirked.
There you go.
Andrew looked at him.
What?
I told you. This place runs on rumours.
Chris nodded toward another table where two girls had joined the conversation despite clearly not knowing anything about Andrew.
Watch.
One of them lowered her voice dramatically.
I heard he's from Switzerland.
No way.
My cousin said so.
Andrew quietly continued eating.
Marcus laughed.
You don't even have to do anything. People make up stories for free.
Across campus, another dorm wasn't nearly as quiet.
Emma... a muffled voice groaned from beneath a blanket. Five more minutes.
You said that ten minutes ago.
I meant a different five minutes.
Emma sighed and pulled the curtains open. Morning sunlight flooded the room instantly.
Zoe buried her face deeper into her pillow.
I was having a good dream.
You were drooling.
I can dream and drool.
Nina walked past the doorway, already dressed and carrying her bag.
Honestly, I'm impressed she wakes up at all.
I heard that.
You were supposed to.
Ava glanced at the clock.
If we leave right now, we'll only be five minutes late.
Zoe sat upright immediately.
Only five?
Emma folded her arms.
Get dressed.
I am.
You are literally still in bed.
Details.
Emma threw her tie at her.
Move.
Fifteen minutes later, the four girls hurried across campus together.
Emma walked in front, trying to keep everyone moving. Nina followed with a book tucked under one arm while Ava filled the silence with the latest gossip she'd picked up that morning.
They're saying there's a new guy.
There are new students every term, Emma replied.
Not like this one.
What makes him different?
They say Coach personally wanted him for the football team.
Zoe adjusted her backpack.
So he's good?
Apparently.
We'll see.
You don't even watch football, Nina reminded her.
I support the drama.
Emma laughed.
That, I believe.
Still talking, Zoe turned around to argue with Nina while continuing to walk forward.
Emma's eyes widened.
Zoe...
Hm?
Turn around.
Why?
Because at that exact moment, someone was walking toward them with an empty tray in his hands.