Fates Entwined

First Impressions and Unfortunate Expected Encounters

I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag, my chest tightening with the familiar anxiety that came with being the "new kid."

Just get through the day, I told myself again, squaring my shoulders as I joined the crowd and stepped in the front door, into the bland suffocating hallways , only to immediately bump into someone, grazing the cuts littering all the hidden places social workers wouldn't check.

The kid that ran into me frantically started picking up my papers from the floor, "Oh my Irene, I am so sorry. Are you alright?" A sleek but gruff voice replied kindly

looking up at the boy, I thought I recognized him from somewhere, his slicked back, but still somehow fluffy blonde hair glistened in the prison-esque lighting, "Uh, yeah. I'm ok. Sorry for bumping into you." I replied meekly, not wanting to make enemies on day 1.

He stood there, looking me up and down for a moment, "I don't think I've seen you around before, are you new here?"

I nodded my head.

"Well in that case, my name is Garroth." He stuck his hand out.

I shook it, "Charlie."

"What is your next class?"

Garroth's eyes drifted to the crumpled schedule I had just shoved into the back of my notebook, "I can help you find it if you're lost."

"Oh, um," I stammered, fumbling to pull the paper out without dropping the rest of my things again. "I think it's... Biology? Room 207."

Garroth's face lit up with recognition. "Oh, nice! I just came from there. It's on the second floor, left wing. I can show you if you want - unless you're, you know, good with maps or something."

I chuckled nervously. "A map would probably just make me more lost."

"Then it's settled." He grinned, bending down to scoop up the last stray pencil I'd dropped and handing it back to me. "Come on. It's this way."

Following him through the winding hallways, I couldn't help but notice how he walked with an air of confidence that didn't seem forced, like he knew his way around not just the school but the people in it too.

"So," he began after a moment, glancing over his shoulder, "are you new to Phoenix Drop altogether, or just the school?"

I paused, hesitant to share any details with anyone. "Uh, both."

"Well then, welcome." He nodded, his tone casual, though I could feel his curious gaze lingering. "Where are you from?"

"New York," I said quickly, hoping to end the line of questioning before it got too personal.

"Wow, the big city." Garroth let out a low whistle. "Must be a big change coming to a place like this. It's... quieter, for sure."

I shrugged.

Garroth slowed down a little, glancing at me again, but thankfully didn't press further. "Well, if you ever need anything, just let me know. Phoenix Drop can be a little overwhelming at first, but most people are pretty nice once you get to know them."

"Thanks," I muttered, unsure how to respond to his kindness.

We reached the classroom just as the bell rang, the sound echoing through the narrow halls. Garroth pushed the door open and gestured for me to go in first.

"Welcome to Room 207," he said with a smile. "Good luck in there, Charlie. Hope to see you around."

I nodded, clutching my notebook tightly as I stepped inside, suddenly hyper-aware of every pair of eyes that turned in my direction.

"New student?" the teacher, a tall man with glasses and a clipboard, asked from the front of the room.

"Uh, yeah. Charlie," I mumbled, feeling my face heat up.

"Great. Take any open seat," he said, already turning back to the whiteboard.

I spotted an empty desk near the back and hurried toward it, keeping my head down. As I sat down, I glanced out the door one last time and caught a glimpse of Garroth heading down the hall, his confident stride unwavering. For some reason, it made me feel a little less out of place.

I sat at the desk, clutching my notebook as if it were a shield. The chatter in the room ebbed and flowed, voices rising and falling like waves threatening to pull me under. My eyes stayed fixed on the blank page in front of me, my pencil poised but unmoving.

"Alright, everyone, let's settle down," the teacher—Mr. Porter—announced from the front of the room. His tone was calm, but I barely registered it over the buzzing in my head.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a student in the next row looking in my direction. I pretended not to notice, hunching over my notebook, scrawling meaningless lines of text to avoid the possibility of conversation.

The lesson started—something about cell structures. I jotted down a few words, though my mind wandered, thoughts ping-ponging between the sterile walls of the classroom and the suffocating weight of this new place.

"Psst."

The sound made my stomach twist, but I didn't look up.

"Hey," the whisper came again, insistent.

I kept my focus on the paper, gripping my pencil tighter. Maybe if I ignored them, they'd give up.

"Charlie, right?"

I flinched slightly. How did they know my name? My gaze flickered sideways, landing on a girl with short black hair and glasses. She was watching me expectantly, her head tilted like she was waiting for an answer.

"Yeah," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm Kim," she said, her tone bright. "You're new, huh? Welcome to Phoenix Drop."

I nodded stiffly, hoping my silence would signal the end of the exchange.

Kim didn't take the hint. "So, where are you from?"

"Does it matter?" The words slipped out sharper than I intended, but I didn't try to soften them.

Her expression faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly, offering a small laugh. "Fair enough."

I turned back to my notes, effectively ending the conversation. Kim didn't try again, though I could feel her eyes lingering for a second before she refocused on the lesson.