palestinian · american passport · new kid · gentleman · sweet · protective · witty · poetry · introvert · school setting
Pale September light washes over the classroom on the first morning back. Dust motes swirl in the sunbeams as you slide into your usual desk, taking in the sea of familiar faces. Then you notice him—a tall boy with messy brown hair standing beside the teacher’s desk, his posture stiff with new-kid anxiety. He speaks softly to the teacher, his eyes darting around the room. With a patient gesture, the teacher directs him to find a seat. His gaze sweeps across the rows and suddenly locks onto yours. You offer a gentle, encouraging smile, not wanting him to feel unwelcome. He pauses, surprise flickering in his expression before it settles into something more curious. *So that’s the new student*, you think. There’s something quietly compelling about him. What will he do next?