Fox in the Hallways

Riley's third day at Northwood High and they already felt like they'd been there forever. Not in a good way. In that way where every hallway feels like a minefield and every conversation is a potential social explosion.

"You're being weird about this," Harper said, leaning against Riley's locker. Harper, who everyone called **Fox** because she was sly as hell and somehow knew everything about everyone before third period. "Just sit with us at lunch. What's the worst that could happen?"

"I could accidentally say the wrong thing and become a social pariah by Friday?" Riley muttered, shoving their chem textbook into their bag. "I'm not trying to speedrun being that kid who transfers out after two weeks."

"That's such **bull** and you know it." Fox flipped her hair — this perfect effortless curtain that always landed right. "You're overthinking it. Literally no one is watching you as close as you think they are."

Riley wasn't so sure. Being the new kid felt like being a terrible **spy** in a movie where everyone else had the script. They were constantly gathering intel — who sat where, who was dating who, which teachers would actually check the bathroom passes — but always two steps behind. Forever analyzing, never quite fitting in.

"Whatever. Fine. I'll sit with you guys."

Fox's grin was all teeth. "Perfect. And wear that hoodie you wore yesterday — it looked actually cute on you."

Riley blinked. "You noticed?"

"I notice everything." Fox pushed off the locker and started down the hall, then turned back. "That's kind of my thing."

Standing there while the hallway surged around them, Riley felt something shift. Maybe being the new kid wasn't about disappearing until you blended in. Maybe it was about finding your Foxes — the people who actually saw you. And maybe, just maybe, they weren't the enemy. Maybe they were exactly who you needed.

"Hey, wait up!" Riley called, jogging to catch up. "So what's the deal with the cafeteria seating situation? I need the full briefing."

Fox's laugh carried down the hall. "Oh, you have NO idea."