The last bell of the day echoed through the halls, and the school began to empty in its usual chaotic rush.
Lockers slammed.
Students laughed and shouted plans across the hallway.
Autumn stood at her locker with her sketchbook tucked under one arm, swapping out textbooks she wouldn't need over the weekend.
Beside her, her friend Lily leaned against the neighboring locker, scrolling through her phone.
"So," Lily said casually, "are you going tonight?"
Autumn glanced up.
"Going where?"
Lily blinked at her like she'd just asked what year it was.
"The bonfire."
Autumn frowned slightly.
"What bonfire?"
Now Lily looked personally offended.
"You are the only person in this entire school who doesn't know about it."
"That's not true."
"It absolutely is."
Lily shoved her phone toward Autumn.
A group chat full of messages and photos filled the screen.
Beach.
Fire pit.
A bunch of people tagging each other.
Apparently the whole school was planning to be there.
Autumn handed the phone back.
"Oh."
"That's all you have to say?" Lily asked.
"I didn't know about it."
"That's because you avoid people."
"I don't avoid people."
"You absolutely avoid people."
Autumn closed her locker.
"I prefer quiet."
"Quiet is boring."
"Quiet is peaceful."
"Quiet is lonely," Lily countered.
Autumn opened her mouth to argue—
But someone suddenly stepped into the space beside them.
"Autumn."
Her heart gave a small, traitorous jump.
Luca leaned against the locker across from hers like he had been standing there the whole time.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair falling slightly into his eyes.
And that familiar, easy confidence.
Lily immediately straightened.
"Oh," she said quietly.
Autumn turned slowly.
"Hi."
Luca's blue eyes flicked briefly to Lily.
"Hey."
Then they returned to Autumn.
"Did you hear about the bonfire tonight?"
She crossed her arms lightly.
"I just did."
"You going?"
"Probably not."
Lily made a choking noise beside her.
Autumn ignored it.
Luca studied her face for a moment.
"Why not?"
"I'm not really a bonfire party person."
"That's a thing?"
"Yes."
He smiled slightly.
"Sounds like a boring thing."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Not everyone enjoys crowds."
"Fair."
He paused.
Then pushed off the locker.
"Still think you should come."
"Why?"
"Because," he said simply, "you might actually have fun."
Autumn shook her head slightly.
"I doubt that."
"You won't know if you don't try."
Lily suddenly jumped in.
"We'll go."
Autumn turned to stare at her.
"We?"
Lily nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, we."
Luca's smile widened.
"See?"
Autumn glared at her friend.
"You can't volunteer me for things."
"Too late."
She turned back to Luca.
"What time?"
"Eight."
"Beach entrance by the cliffs?"
"Yep."
Lily nodded.
"We'll be there."
Autumn opened her mouth again.
But Luca was already stepping backward down the hall.
"Cool," he said.
Then he looked directly at Autumn.
"I'll see you tonight."
His eyes lingered for just a second longer than necessary.
Then he turned and walked away.
Lily grabbed Autumn's arm the second he disappeared around the corner.
"Oh my god."
Autumn sighed.
"What?"
"Luca Hayes just personally invited you to the bonfire."
"And?"
"And you're acting like that's normal!"
"It is normal."
"No," Lily said firmly.
"It absolutely is not."
Autumn slid her sketchbook into her bag.
"He invited everyone."
"No," Lily said, lowering her voice dramatically.
"He invited you."
Autumn hesitated.
Because if she was being honest with herself—
It had felt that way.
She shook the thought away quickly.
"Either way," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder, "I'm still not sure I'm going."
Lily grinned.
"Oh, you're going."
Autumn sighed.
Somehow she had the feeling tonight was going to be complicated.
And for reasons she couldn't explain—
That made her nervous.