The classroom smelled faintly of chalk dust and polished wood. Nevan tucked a strand of auburn hair behind his ear, adjusting his bag on the chair beside him. He kept his green eyes low, not because he was shy, but because he preferred to watch quietly first — the way people moved, the small habits they couldn't hide.

Most of the students kept to themselves or whispered to neighbors, eyes flicking nervously toward the door every so often. Nevan's thoughts briefly wandered to the twins, to the hallway confrontation earlier. His hands rested in his lap, calm as ever, though a tiny spark of alertness ran through him — a habit from years of learning to measure danger before it came.

A soft cough beside him pulled him back. "Uh... hi," said a voice, hesitant but kind.

Nevan turned slightly. A boy from another table, one of the first-years, was watching him nervously. His hair was dark brown, messy, falling into his eyes, and there was a gentle awkwardness in his smile.

"Hi," Nevan replied, voice soft, light, almost like a whispering breeze.

"I'm Theo," the boy said, scratching the back of his neck. "I... I saw you in the hall yesterday. With the... twins."

Nevan's lips curved faintly, polite but not overly expressive. "I noticed."

Theo's eyes widened slightly. "Wait... you're not scared?"

Nevan shrugged, tilting his head. "Why would I be? Fear is usually only useful if it helps you act. Otherwise..." His gaze flicked briefly to the window, watching a bird hop along the branch outside, "it's just wasted energy."

Theo blinked. "Wow... that's... kind of cool, actually."

Nevan allowed himself a small, amused smile. "Thank you. You're very brave for saying that."

Theo laughed softly, a little awkwardly. "Brave? I'm not brave. I just... well, I guess I don't run from things I don't understand. I don't like assumptions, I guess."

Nevan's fingers fiddled with the corner of his notebook, neatly lined pages already marked with small doodles and careful notes. "That's sensible," he said. "Assumptions often cause more trouble than the thing itself."

Theo nodded, relief easing the tension in his shoulders. "So... uh, do you want to sit together? I mean, if you want. I'm usually alone too."

Nevan's gaze softened, green eyes warm and inviting. "I'd like that."

As the lesson began, Theo scooted his chair closer. He whispered occasionally, commenting softly about the teacher's monotone voice or the complicated diagram on the board. Nevan listened, smiled faintly, and answered when appropriate, careful not to draw attention but still participating.

It was... easy. Simple. The calm hum of ordinary conversation, the quiet comfort of not being under threat, felt almost foreign after the morning. He realized he hadn't felt so unburdened in a while.

At one point, Theo nudged him gently, whispering, "You're... handsome, by the way. I mean, not that it matters, but... yeah. Just saying."

Nevan's cheeks flushed slightly — an unusual sensation, though he hid it quickly, brushing a hand along the edge of his notebook. "Thank you," he murmured. His green eyes met Theo's briefly, and there was a small honesty in them, uncalculated, unlike the calculated calm he kept for others.

Theo grinned. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Promise."

Nevan tilted his head, faintly amused. "I don't think anyone would believe it anyway."

The rest of the class passed with soft conversation and shared notes. Occasionally, Nevan's gaze flicked to the window, watching birds hopping between branches, listening to the faint rustle of leaves outside. It reminded him of how small things — small kindnesses, small freedoms — could feel like sanctuary, even in a place that seemed overwhelming.

By the time the bell rang, Nevan felt lighter than he had all morning. Theo waved as he gathered his bag. "See you tomorrow, Nevan?"

"See you," Nevan replied, his voice soft but certain. For the first time that day, he allowed himself to feel something other than caution — a small spark of friendship, fragile but real.

As he left the classroom, walking past empty desks and the fading chalk dust, Nevan felt something unusual: a quiet anticipation. Maybe school wasn't just a place to endure anymore. Maybe it could also be a place to... belong.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of lessons and quiet observations. Nevan kept his posture relaxed, his hands folded neatly on the desk, but his mind wandered occasionally — back to the hallways, to the twins.

Airn and Alastor weren't like the other students. He could feel it in the way the air shifted when they entered a room, in the sharpness of their gazes. Most people were careful around him — polite, maybe even frightened — but the twins... they were something else entirely.

He tried not to think about them too much. After all, fear was only useful if it prompted action, and Nevan had no intention of giving them that satisfaction.

During lunch, he walked through the cafeteria slowly, noticing the small patterns of the students: who whispered, who laughed too loudly, who avoided others. It was all small and subtle, yet it told him more than any overt gesture.

"Hey, Nevan!" Theo called from the far end of the room, waving. Nevan smiled faintly and walked over.

"You made it," Theo said, sliding into the bench beside him. "How was your morning?"

Nevan tilted his head slightly, green eyes thoughtful. "Busy. Crowded. Full of... predictions that didn't come true," he replied, voice calm, almost musical.

Theo laughed softly. "Yeah, I get that. Some people... they think they know everything on the first day. Like the twins, maybe?"

Nevan's lips curved into a tiny, polite smile. "I noticed them. They are... persistent."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "Persistent?"

"Clever in their own ways," Nevan said, shrugging lightly. "Dangerous, too. But predictable if you pay attention."

Theo's eyes widened slightly. "Wow. You... you really notice everything, don't you?"

Nevan's smile softened. "Observing is useful. It's... safer that way."

They fell into easy conversation after that, discussing classes, teachers, and the small peculiarities of the school. Nevan found himself listening as much as speaking, curious about this boy who seemed honest, kind, and unafraid — a rare combination.

At one point, Theo nudged him playfully. "You really are... handsome, Nevan. I mean, it's kind of obvious, but also... quiet, you know?"

Nevan's green eyes flicked toward him, a faint blush warming his limestone skin. "Thank you," he murmured, voice low. He didn't usually think about his looks — it wasn't important — but the compliment was gentle, harmless, and for some reason, it felt... nice.

Theo grinned. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But seriously, I'm glad we met. Most people just... run or hide. You don't."

Nevan looked down at his hands for a moment, then back up. "I don't hide from things I don't need to fear," he said softly. "I prefer to understand them first."

Theo nodded, impressed. "That makes sense. And... it's nice. Most people just yell, complain, or cry."

Nevan chuckled faintly, the sound soft but genuine. "Sometimes, yes. Sometimes... it's enough to just wait and watch."

As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Nevan felt an unusual warmth of companionship. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to enjoy it: quiet, safe, human connection — a respite from the looming shadow of the Blackwood twins.

Yet even as he walked to his next class with Theo by his side, he couldn't shake the sense of being watched. The twins' presence lingered in the back of his mind, sharp and insistent. Dangerous and intriguing.

Nevan adjusted the strap of his bag again, taking a slow, steadying breath. "Let them watch," he whispered to himself. "I have no reason to fear them... not yet."

And with that, he walked onward, calm, careful, and quietly unyielding.