The final bell rang, echoing through the halls like freedom. Backpacks zipped, chairs scraped, and students poured out of the classrooms like water through a broken dam. Ryan moved through the hallway quietly, head down, one strap of his bag slung over his shoulder.
He didn't say goodbye to anyone. He never did.
But as he turned the corner toward the main doors, a voice stopped him.
"You always walk this fast, or are you running from something?"
Ryan paused and glanced over his shoulder.
Savannah.
She leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, a smirk on her face. Her dark hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and her confidence radiated without effort.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
She pushed off the lockers and walked beside him, easily matching his pace. "Can't a girl make conversation?"
"I don't do small talk," Ryan replied coolly, adjusting the strap on his backpack.
"Good," she said, flashing a grin. "Neither do I."
They walked in silence for a few seconds before Savannah added, "That was impressive today. The Wallace thing. Didn't expect that from you."
Ryan shrugged. "Didn't expect people to be that wrong."
Savannah laughed. "So you're smart and blunt. Dangerous combo."
He shot her a sideways glance. "You always this talkative?"
"Only when I'm curious," she said with a tilt of her head. "And you, Ryan Whitmore, are very… curious."
He stopped at the school's front steps, eyes scanning the parking lot like he was searching for an exit.
"I'm not interested," he said flatly.
Savannah didn't miss a beat. "In what? Talking? Friends? Girls?"
Ryan didn't answer.
She stepped in front of him, blocking his path with a teasing smile. "Relax. I'm not trying to marry you. I'm just saying, it's nice to have someone new around who doesn't act like a clone of everyone else."
Ryan looked at her, expression unreadable. Then finally said, "Maybe I'm worse."
"I guess I'll find out," Savannah said, turning to walk down the steps. She paused, looked back, and added, "See you around, Whitmore."
Ryan watched her disappear into the crowd of students and parents. A flicker of something—amusement, maybe—tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Then he turned and headed the other way.