Brookhaven - Westwood High

The sun blazed down on the Westwood High campus, the first day of senior year humming with anticipation. Students clustered in groups, catching up after the summer break, exchanging stories, and sizing up the new arrivals. Leo Clarke stood at the entrance, his backpack slung over one shoulder, taking in the chaos.

He had survived the first two weeks of Brookhaven’s small-town charm, but this—his first day at a new school—was an entirely different beast.

“Why am I even nervous?” Leo muttered to himself, brushing a hand through his dark hair. He had faced worse situations, but the lingering memory of that summer night kept replaying in his mind.

Two weeks had passed since the party, and Ethan Harper hadn’t reached out. No texts. No calls. It was as if that night had been erased, leaving Leo stuck in a loop of unanswered questions.

The bell rang as Leo shuffled through the hallways, searching for his locker. His gaze swept across unfamiliar faces, the hum of conversations blending into white noise. He spotted a group of girls laughing near the lockers, a cluster of guys tossing a football in the courtyard—just like any other high school.

“Hey, new kid!” a voice called out.

Leo turned to see a petite girl with shoulder-length curls and bright, curious eyes walking toward him. She had a confident stride and a smile that bordered on mischievous.

“I’m Alicia,” she introduced herself, extending a hand. “You look like you could use a guide.”

“Leo,” he replied, shaking her hand. “And yeah, I could definitely use some help.”

“Well, lucky for you, I’m your fairy godmother of Westwood High,” Alicia declared dramatically. “Let’s start with the basics. That’s the cafeteria,” she pointed down the hall. “That’s where the cheerleaders hang out, and over there are the jocks.”

As she rattled off her commentary, another figure joined them—a curly-haired guy wearing a vintage band tee.

“Don’t trust her,” the guy interrupted, smirking. “She’s a terrible guide. I’m Marcus, by the way.”

“Leo,” he said, amused by their dynamic.

“Let me guess,” Alicia said, eyeing Leo. “You’re trying to figure out where you fit in. Don’t worry, we’ll help you survive the social jungle.”

Leo chuckled. “Thanks. I think I’ll need it.”

The day passed in a blur of introductions, new faces, and awkward small talk. Leo was relieved to have met Alicia and Marcus, who made him feel less like the outsider he was.

By lunch, the three of them had claimed a table in the corner of the cafeteria.

“So, what’s your story?” Marcus asked, biting into an apple.

“Not much to tell,” Leo said, poking at his food. “My family moved back here after a long time away. It’s been... an adjustment.”

“Well, welcome back to the fishbowl,” Alicia said. “Small towns are great if you love gossip and the same ten people showing up everywhere.”

Leo laughed, relaxing for the first time all day.

Then it happened.

Leo’s laughter died as his eyes drifted toward the cafeteria entrance. Ethan Harper had just walked in, surrounded by his usual entourage. The golden boy of Westwood High looked effortlessly cool in a varsity jacket, his blue eyes scanning the room.

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t seen Ethan since that night. Seeing him now—confident, untouchable, and every bit as magnetic as Leo remembered—was like a punch to the gut.

“Earth to Leo,” Alicia said, waving a hand in front of his face.

“Who’s that?” Leo asked, trying to sound casual.

Alicia and Marcus exchanged a knowing glance.

“That’s Ethan Harper,” Marcus said. “Basketball star, football captain, all-around golden boy. Why? You interested?”

Leo’s cheeks flushed. “No, just curious.”

Alicia leaned closer. “Careful. Ethan’s not exactly available. He’s got a girlfriend—Abby, the head cheerleader. They’re basically royalty around here.”

Leo’s stomach sank at the mention of Abby. A girlfriend?

As if on cue, Ethan’s eyes swept across the cafeteria, landing briefly on Leo. For a moment, their gazes locked. A flicker of recognition passed through Ethan’s face before he quickly turned away, focusing on Abby, who had just joined him.

Leo’s chest tightened.

The next time their paths crossed was in the hallway. Leo was heading to his last class of the day when he nearly collided with Ethan near the lockers.

“Sorry,” Leo mumbled, stepping aside.

Ethan froze, his blue eyes widening in shock. “Leo?”

“Hey,” Leo said, his voice betraying his nervous excitement.

“You... You go here now?” Ethan’s tone was guarded, his expression unreadable.

“Yeah,” Leo said, trying to smile. “Small world, huh?”

Ethan glanced around, as if worried someone might overhear. “Look, about that night—”

“It’s fine,” Leo interrupted quickly. “You don’t have to say anything.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again.”

“Neither was I,” Leo admitted. “But I’m glad I did.”

Ethan looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, he stepped back, putting distance between them.

“I have to go,” he said abruptly, turning and walking away without another word.

Leo stood there, stunned and hurt. He had replayed that night a hundred times in his head, hoping for a chance to talk to Ethan, to figure out what it had meant. But now, it was clear Ethan wasn’t interested in revisiting the past.

Back in the cafeteria, Alicia and Marcus found Leo sitting alone, staring at his uneaten lunch.

“Okay, spill,” Alicia said, sliding into the seat next to him. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing,” Leo said, avoiding her gaze.

Marcus snorted. “Please. You’ve been acting weird since Ethan walked in. Did something happen?”

Leo hesitated. “We... met at a party a couple of weeks ago. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Alicia repeated skeptically.

Leo sighed, leaning back in his chair. “It’s complicated.”

“Well, you’re in luck,” Alicia said, grinning. “Complicated is our specialty.”

By the end of the day, Leo felt drained. The excitement of a new beginning had been overshadowed by the unexpected encounter with Ethan. As he walked home, his mind raced with questions.

Why was Ethan avoiding him? Was it because of Abby? Or was it something else?

One thing was clear—this wasn’t going to be the fresh start Leo had imagined.

End of Chapter Two