The classroom buzzed with the usual chatter, desks scraping against the floor as students shuffled around, pairing off before the teacher even finished giving instructions.
I swallowed, looking down and fidgeting with my shirt, my fingers rubbing the fabric between. I hated this part. The part where everyone else effortlessly turned to their friends while I sat, waiting, hoping I wouldn't be the last one left.
"Alright, class," Mr. Evans clapped his hands. "Remember, you need to work with someone new. No picking your usual friends."
I exhaled slowly, watching as people groaned and hesitated, then started breaking apart into unexpected pairs. My eyes flickered toward the clock, willing the next forty-five minutes to pass quickly.
Thenâ
"Hey," a voice said beside me, smooth and easy.
I glanced up, and my stomach flipped.
Luigi Mangione.
I knew who he was, of course. Everybody did. He wasn't loud or obnoxious like some of the guys in our grade, but he was... noticeable. Friendly, confident, and always surrounded by people. The kind of person who made everything look easy.
And now he was standing next to my desk, looking down at me with a small, lopsided smile.
"You got a partner yet?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Uh, no."
His smile grew. "Great. Mind if I join you?"
I blinked. Was he serious? He could've asked anyone. Someone easier to talk to, someone who wasn't currently forgetting how to form sentences because he was way too good-looking up close.
"Yeah," I said quickly. "That's... that's fine."
He pulled the chair beside me out and dropped into it, resting an arm on the back. "I'm Luigi."
I almost laughed. As if I didn't already know.
"Y/N."
"Nice to meet you, Y/N."
I forced myself to meet his eyes, which was a mistake, because wowâhe had that kind of gaze that made you forget what you were supposed to be doing. Warm, sharp, and locked onto mine like he actually wanted to be here.
"So," he said, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk. "How do you feel about this project?"
"I... don't know yet," I admitted. "Haven't really looked at it."
His grin widened, amused but not unkind. "Same. Guess we'll figure it out together, huh?"
I nodded, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "Yeah."
For some reason, I could still feel his eyes on me. Not in a weird wayâjust... like he was paying attention.
"Do you talk much?" he asked, his tone teasing but gentle.
I paused. My face grew warm. "Iâum. I guess not?"
His chuckle was quiet, thoughtful. "That's cool. I'll talk enough for both of us."
I let out a soft laugh despite myself, and his eyes flickered with somethingâlike he was proud of getting me to react.
And just like that, the nerves didn't feel so bad anymore.