The Changeling and the Crimson Lace

1

"My mother just got a new job, so we had to move to a new city," Amra explained to the class, her voice hesitant. "I don't really like moving, because I have friends back home that I'll miss, but my mom says I need to meet new people, so... here I am."

She pressed her lips into a thin line, trying to muster a smile, but it came out awkward. The room was silent; every student's eyes were fixed on her, making her shift nervously. She felt the tension growing and fidgeted with her fingers.

"Uh... I'm just going to go sit in the seat at the back," she said, her tone flat and unenthusiastic. Without waiting for a response, she quickly made her way to the farthest seat and sat down.

After class, Amra headed to lunch. On her way, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry," she stammered, stepping back and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. When she looked up, her eyes widened in surprise. The boy she had bumped into was gorgeous. He had striking ice-blue eyes, ash-blonde hair that faded into a soft, pinkish strawberry blonde, and freckles dotted across his face. Round, gold glasses sat neatly on his nose. His build was bulky, but not overly so—lean, yet strong.

"You gonna keep staring?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Huh? Oh... sorry," she mumbled, snapping out of her daze.

"You're cool," he said casually. "Name's Callus. What about you?"

"Amra. Amra Qixalim."

Callus chuckled, tilting his head slightly as if to get a better look at her. "Amra Qixalim. Interesting name. You new here?"

"Yeah, just moved," she said, feeling a little self-conscious under his gaze. "I'm still getting used to everything."

"Well, welcome to Crestwood High," he replied, giving her a nod before glancing down the hallway. "It's... not as bad as it looks."

Amra offered a faint smile, unsure of what to say next. She felt her heart racing and was about to excuse herself when a girl with vibrant purple hair suddenly appeared by Callus's side. "There you are!" the girl said, linking her arm through his. She shot Amra a quick, dismissive look before turning her full attention to him.

"I've been looking for you," the girl continued, her voice laced with a touch of possessiveness.

Callus didn't seem phased. "Relax, Tess. I was just talking to Amra here," he said, gesturing toward her.

"Amra," Tess repeated, her tone skeptical, as if tasting the name. She then shifted her gaze back to Callus, ignoring Amra completely. "We're going to be late. You promised you'd sit with me."

Callus sighed but turned back to Amra with a small smile. "Catch you around, Qixalim," he said, his voice playful before being dragged away by Tess.

Amra stood frozen for a moment, her mind buzzing. She hadn't expected to run into someone like Callus on her first day, let alone be caught in some kind of weird tension with another girl. She shook her head and continued toward the cafeteria, feeling like she'd just stepped into something bigger than she realized.

As she reached the lunchroom and found a quiet corner to sit in, she couldn't help but wonder about Callus. Who was he, and why did it feel like there was more to him than just a good-looking guy with a mysterious smile?

As she sat in the cafeteria, picking at her lunch absentmindedly, Amra's thoughts kept drifting back to Callus and the strange encounter. Who was that girl? Tess had looked at her like she was intruding on something, and that nagging feeling of tension still lingered.