There was a scream at the beginning.
Von heard it—a sharp yelp of pain, followed by a crash and a buzz like a live wire—as he was making his way down the back hallway, trying to avoid the crowd.
Around the corner, a student clutched their hand while writhing on the ground.
Von went cold.
A boy with a crooked smile, unkempt brown hair, and sparks dancing across his knuckles stood over them.
"Oops," he said without expressing any remorse. "Dude, I didn't see you there."
The student quickly withdrew while muttering obscenities.
Now there was silence in the hallway. The others had either moved on or acted as if they hadn't noticed.
Von, that is.
That's Von.
He remained standing.
The boy smirked as he turned and saw him.
He said, "Are you going to report me too, ghost-boy?"
Von blinked. "What?"
As he approached, the boy remarked, "You're that kid who looks like he's never slept in his life." Electricity still hummed softly beneath the skin as he extended his hand. "My name is Justin. "You?"
Von paused. "...Von."
After nodding, Justin glanced around as if he thought security would suddenly appear out of nowhere.
"Place is a joke," he whispered. "Pretend that we are explosive weapons.
Von's eyes squinted a little. "Are you not concerned that someone saw that?"
"Nah. Allow them to arrive. Justin knocked on the locker next to him. With a bzzt, a flash of light arced through the metal. "I'll destroy every camera in the building if they try to collar me."
Von took a small, uneasy step back. "You shouldn't take the risk if you might get caught."
"Don't sweat it, ghost boy; I've got this all figured out."
They stood silently for a moment.
Justin studied him with a tilt of his head. "You've awakened, too, haven't you?"
Von tensed. "No."
"Liar," smiled Justin. "I smell it on you."
Von's mouth tightened. "I am too afraid to use it."
Justin lowered his voice and took a step closer. "Then it's going to eat you alive."
That was the start.
Of stress. Of awkward silences. Of Justin appearing like a hiccup in Von's meticulously silent routine.
The beginning of something hazardous. Perhaps even a friendship.
Von was unaware of that, though.
He only knew that the next time he attempted to sit by himself, Justin would be sitting across from him, uninvited, unbothered, and electric.