Teddy used to walk the long way to class just to pass Mary’s locker. She was short, and light-skinned like him, with dark hair that flowed down her back like it had it’s own story. She wore oversized hoodies, AirPods always in, and a look in her eyes like she knew something the rest of the school didn’t. There was a rhythm to the way she moved through the halls unbothered, untouchable, uninterested. Teddy never said more than ten words to her all year. But he said a lot about her to her best friend, Tina. Tina had light brown braids and this brightness to her that made people want to be around her. She smiled with her whole face, laughed loud, and didn’t care what anyone thought. She wasn’t like Mary, not mysterious or silent but she had a depth to her. The kind of girl who knew exactly when someone needed a hug or a joke or a moment of silence. They met in English class. He started talking to her because she was Mary’s friend. He kept talking to her because he liked the way she listened. Tina would ask questions no one else thought to ask. Like, “What makes you feel safe?” or “Do you think people can change if no one believes they will?” And that’s when Teddy started realizing maybe the girl he thought he liked was just a dream. And maybe the girl sitting right beside him…was something real.