Chapter Text
Eddie hated new schools.
He hated the way people stared like they already knew who he was, or worse, like they didn’t care to find out. He hated the way lockers clanged too loud, the way teachers butchered his name in roll call even though it was only five letters, and the way every hallway felt like someone else’s home. The smell of old textbooks and overused cleaning supplies lingered in the air, mixed with too much perfume and burnt cafeteria pizza.
And he really hated that his dad called it a “fresh start.”
It didn’t feel fresh. It felt forced. Like putting on someone else’s clothes and pretending they fit.
They had moved from El Paso to California at the end of summer. Not because Eddie wanted to. Not even because his parents wanted to. They did it for Abuela who had moved out here six months ago to be closer to some of her cousins. She was getting older, and after one scary hospital visit, Eddie’s mom had said there was no question: they were packing up and going.
So here they were. The Diaz family, Eddie, his mom and dad, his 15-year-old sister Sophia who complained about the move every chance she got, and Adriana, who was seven and didn’t seem to notice much except that California had better ice cream.
Eddie was sixteen. Starting his junior year. In a school where he didn’t know a single soul.
Awesome.
He took a deep breath outside his first class door, fingers tightening around the strap of his backpack. Okay. First day. Eddie can do this.
He walked in, tried not to look nervous, and definitely tried not to trip over anything as the teacher motioned for him to introduce himself.
“This is Eddie Diaz,” the teacher said before Eddie could speak. “He’s just moved here from Texas. Why don’t you tell us something about yourself, Eddie?”
Eddie resisted the urge to sigh. “Um… I like football. And sandwiches. I don’t know. That’s it.”
A few kids laughed, but the teacher nodded and told him to take the empty seat in the second row. Eddie quickly sat down, avoiding most of the stares, until one particular pair of eyes made his skin itch.
There was a guy , short brown hair, sharp jaw, and a pink….scar? Above his right eyebrow. He didn’t blink. Just stared. Not even bothering to pretend he wasn’t doing it.
Eddie shifted in his seat and looked away. Weird.
But still. The guy was… kind of good looking. Not that Eddie cared. Eddie wasn’t gay or anything. He was a normal, straight guy. That’s what he told himself anyway. Still, he could admit when someone looked good, right?
Right.
Lunch rolled around, and Eddie was trying not to care that he was sitting alone. He found a table in the corner, away from the loudest groups, and unwrapped the sandwich his mom packed that morning.
One bite in, and he already felt better. Turkey, lettuce, mustard , familiar. Homey.
He was halfway through his sandwich when someone walked up to his table. He looked up, and—
Holy crap.
She was stunning. Like, actually stunning. Long braids that shimmered in the sun, warm brown skin, soft eyes, and a smile that made Eddie’s heart lurch into his throat. There was something about her, a glow or energy that made everything else in the cafeteria go quiet for a second.
“Hey,” she said, voice soft but confident.
Eddie blinked. “Uh… hey.”
“You’re the new kid, right? Eddie?”
“Yeah,” he said, sitting up straighter and wiping his hands on his jeans. “That’s me.”
“I’m May.” He smiled, feeling the tension ease a little. “Nice to meet you.”
“I figured I’d say hi before lunch is over. Starting at a new school sucks. Thought I’d make it suck a little less.”
Eddie laughed ,actually laughed, and shook his head. “Thanks. That’s… really nice of you.”
They talked for a few minutes, where he was from, how he liked California so far, how weird the weather was, and before she left, she asked for his number. Just like that. As if it wasn’t a big deal. As if he wasn’t the awkward new guy who still didn’t know where the science wing was.
He gave it to her, trying not to stumble over the digits.
And then she smiled again, said, “I’ll text you later,” and walked back to her table.
Eddie watched her go, biting back a grin. God. First day of school and he already had a crush?
He looked down at his sandwich like it was suddenly the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him. Maybe this school wouldn’t be so bad.
But then, his eyes wandered across the cafeteria.
And sitting at the table she had just returned to… was him.
The guy from earlier.
He was still staring. Except now he wasn’t looking at Eddie, he was staring at her. Jaw tight. Eyes narrowed. Almost like he was angry.
Eddie furrowed his brows.
Was that her boyfriend or something? Or her brother? Maybe just a friend?
Either way, he didn’t look happy.
And Eddie didn’t know why.
But the glare didn’t stop.
Not for the rest of lunch.