The young woman flashed him a grin, pleased to start a conversation. She had never actually spoken to him before, despite seeing him around. He had some strange mannerisms, but she didn’t mind. She usually got along with the outgoing types, but this guy was different—quiet and reserved, like many of the students who preferred books over friends.

When he gave his name, she smiled brightly. “Morgan,” she said cheerfully. Their chat didn’t last long, but it was pleasant. Soon, they parted ways with a quick wave, and Morgan drove home, where her siblings were already bickering, and her parents were preparing dinner. The familiar sounds of her cozy house warmed her as she stepped inside. The tree, adorned with Christmas lights, stood in the corner, filling the room with holiday cheer. She smiled, feeling safe and loved in this space.

After changing and showering, Morgan joined her family for a relaxed dinner, savoring the warmth of their togetherness. The evening passed peacefully, and she eventually settled into her room, where her cat Twiggy lay curled on her pillow. She let herself unwind and drift off to sleep.

The next morning, Morgan followed her usual routine—getting dressed, doing her makeup, and picking out warm clothes for the chilly day ahead. At school, she met up with a few friends, and their plans for a night out lingered on her mind. As the day went on, she found herself thinking about Caleb again, the boy she’d spoken to the day before. She caught sight of him in class and couldn’t help but smile back when he flashed her a small grin.

The class dragged on, and when the bell finally rang, Morgan found herself walking alongside Caleb toward the parking lot. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak up.

“Hey,” she started, pulling out the practice paper they’d been given. “I heard you never miss a mark on these things,” she said, gesturing to the paper. “I was wondering if you’d come over and go through it with me—if you don’t have anything better to do, that is.”

The young woman couldn’t help but grin when Caleb agreed to help her. She wasn’t entirely sure why she felt drawn to him, but there was something about him that piqued her curiosity. The way he spoke—so calm and deliberate—made her wonder if he was anticipating what she was going to say before she even said it. It was a ridiculous thought, she knew, but she couldn’t shake it. She’d seen enough movies to entertain the idea, and part of her was still convinced that there was more to him than met the eye.

The other part of her, however, was simply happy for the help. She did need assistance with the papers, and maybe this would be her chance to get to know him better. Maybe she could figure out if her suspicions were anything more than a silly assumption.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. She quickly grabbed her things and headed out to her car, signaling for Caleb to follow. She could feel a strange anticipation in her chest as she glanced in the rearview mirror, making sure he was still behind her. The drive was short, only about ten minutes, and soon they arrived at her house. It was the kind of place that screamed "ideal family home"—a large, well-kept house in a quiet neighborhood with a white picket fence and a yard that always looked perfect. It was big enough for her family of five, plus an extra person if needed.

She pulled into the driveway and hopped out of the car, waiting for Caleb to catch up. With a friendly gesture, she invited him inside. She led him up to her room, where the walls were adorned with fairy lights, and a hammock swayed gently in the corner. The room had a cozy, lived-in feel to it, with a large double bed covered in soft blankets and a collection of Polaroid photos scattered across the walls—pictures of her friends, family, and, of course, her cat, Twiggy.

“Welcome to my little sanctuary,” she said with a smile as she dropped her bag on the chair by her desk. “That’s Twiggy,” she added, gesturing to the cat, who was curled up at the foot of her bed.

She rummaged through her desk drawers, pulling out the practice paper she’d been given in class, then tossed it onto the bed. As she moved to sit on the floor next to the beanbag chair, she gestured to the seat across from her. “Make yourself comfortable,” she chirped, her voice light and easy.

As she began setting up, her phone buzzed in her pocket, making her jump slightly. She pulled it out to see a message from her friends, asking if she needed a ride to the party that evening. Morgan groaned softly, torn between wanting to get this study session over with and not wanting to miss out on the fun. The party was a big deal, after all, and she hadn’t yet decided if she was going.

After a quick moment of hesitation, she shot them a reply. I’ll be there, she typed, then set her phone down on the bed, looking up at Caleb with a raised eyebrow. “Well, I guess we better get started. No sense in procrastinating, right?” she said, trying to keep her tone casual, even though she was already thinking about the party.

Her eyes met his, waiting for him to settle in and ready himself. There was a part of her that was still curious about him—still trying to figure out if there was more to Caleb than what he let on. But for now, she’d focus on the task at hand and see where the conversation took them.

Morgan’s grin widened as Caleb agreed to join her. It was a mix of excitement and relief—though she’d been buried in schoolwork all day, she couldn’t sit still for too long. She needed a break, and hanging out with her friends was the perfect way to unwind. The thought of a change of scenery had her feeling a little lighter already.

But just as she was about to grab her things, the unmistakable sound of the front door slamming echoed through the house. Her smile faltered slightly. That would be her dad. He was a good guy, but he didn’t exactly approve of her new group of friends. They had a habit of partying hard—drinking, staying out late—and it wasn’t exactly the kind of lifestyle her dad was fond of. Morgan winced a little, but shrugged it off. She didn’t want to let it ruin her night.

When Caleb offered to drive, she nodded quickly, eager to get going and shake off the tension. “Sounds good,” she chirped, trying to keep the mood light. She hopped up from the bed, making her way over to her wardrobe to grab another jumper. It was chilly outside, and she figured it wouldn’t hurt to be a little more bundled up.

As she slipped the jumper on, she glanced at Caleb with a smile. “Let’s go,” she said brightly, her excitement creeping back up. The house felt suddenly too small and the atmosphere a little heavy, but she was determined to make the best of it. Slipping down the stairs quietly, she glanced toward the living room where she could hear her dad’s muffled voice. He probably wouldn’t say anything right now, but she knew there’d be a conversation waiting for her when she got home. For now, though, she was more than ready to get out of the house and enjoy the night.