"Hey, wanna partner up?"

A tap on my shoulder. A question. A growing need to ignore him. I mean, doesn't he have plenty of other friends to bother? Why me, of all people...

"Ayo, Hamish, got a partner already?"

Someone else's voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned instinctively, then cursed myself for doing so.

Jayden stood next to Hamish's seat, waiting for a response. Hamish didn't even hesitate.

"Can't. I already got one," he said, throwing his arm around my shoulder like we were buddies. The guy only nodded and left, "gotcha."

I brushed his arm off immediately, feeling a mix of irritation and something else I didn't want to think about. The audacity.

"So..." Hamish began.

"So what?" I snapped, knowing exactly where this was going.

"Let's work together?"

If there's one thing this guy never lacks, it's persistence. And confidence. And the ability to get under my skin.

"Didn't you just say you already had a partner?" I countered, determined not to give in.

"Why, jealous? I wouldn't trade you for anyone." He teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

I scoffed. He wishes!

"Whatever, I'm not pairing up with you."

"Oh, is that so? Then with whom?" he asked, crossing his arms on the back of my seat and bending over them, tilting his head outward as he moved closer to me.

"Whomever," I shot back, but my bravado was already fading.

"I don't think there's anyone left," he pointed out.

I looked around the classroom, trying to spot someone—anyone—I could partner with to prove him wrong. But he was right. Everyone else had already paired off, and Hamish was still standing there, the last one in line. My only option. And I didn't want it.

"Urgh," I groaned, dropping my head onto my desk, hiding my face in my arms. This day just wouldn't end.

"So?" His voice was annoyingly chipper. I didn't need to look up to know he was smirking.

Of course. This is exactly why he's such a bug. He wants me to admit out loud that I don't have any choice. Don't fucking ask what you can already see!

"Just move your seat," I mumbled.

He did, sliding his chair over to mine. We were now officially working together, planning out the basics of the assignment. At least he knew what the work was about.

Hamish moved closer as he took notes, the edge of his knee brushing against mine under the desk. I flinched slightly, but didn't comment on it.

"I suggest we work at your house," he said, far too casually for it to be a simple suggestion. I knew he wasn't going to drop it, so I didn't bother resisting.

"Sure," I sighed.

He scribbled it down on his notes, looking far too pleased with himself. At least he was taking charge of the logistics. I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone care.

"Shall we start today?" he asked.

"Yeah, whatever," I muttered, my responses automatic at this point. I wasn't even listening anymore. I'd just have to read his notes later.

⎯⎯⎯✧࿓☾⎯⎯⎯

Mr. Grey dismissed us shortly after, giving everyone time to move their seats back to their original positions before the final bell rang. I gathered my things quickly and was the first one out as soon as the loud, familiar sound announced the end of the day. I could hear Hamish trying to catch up behind me.

"Hey, wait!"

I rushed toward the bus stop where I was supposed to meet Faye. The afternoon sun was obscured by a heavy, overcast sky. Although summer was approaching, the weather in this part of the world often felt like it was stuck between rainy spells and occasional snow showers.

I took refuge under the sagging roof of the bus stop as I waited for the bus and Faye.

"Oi, Randy! Damn... you're fast!" Hamish called out, finally catching up, slightly out of breath.

"Hey, Randy!" Faye called out as she spotted me and her brother at the bus stop. Her voice was bright but focused. She barely acknowledged Hamish as she rummaged through her backpack.

"Ehem," Hamish cleared his throat, trying to grab her attention, but Faye was too engrossed in whatever she was searching for.

She pulled out the corner of a notebook. The only thing I noticed was that it had a cover in shades of purple and indigo blue. I wondered what it was for when she explained in a chipper whisper, "It's for recording our investigation."

Her eyes were bright with excitement I didn't know she had in her. She really is an enthusiast of dark subjects after all. Anyway, if we could have everything more organized, it just seems better to me.

She hid it quickly in her back pack again as Hamish began peeking over.

"What's up with you two, now?" 

"Nothing," we both replied at the same time.

"This situation feels oddly familiar." 

"Look, the bus is pulling up," I said, casually pointing to the approaching bus as I moved toward it, hoping to steer us away from the topic.

As we boarded, Faye spoke up, "Right, Hamish. I'm going to Randy's today, so—"

"What! Me too..." Hamish interrupted, his excitement wavering as he processed the news.

"What?" Faye's eyes widened as she turned to look at me, and Hamish followed suit.

They both stared at me, slightly confused, waiting for an explanation. Dammit.

⎯⎯⎯✧࿓☾⎯⎯⎯

The door creaked open, the sound resonating through the quiet entryway. The air inside was warmer, tinged with the faint scent of polished wood and something floral, a scent that had become usual since Agathe installed her small garden.

The light's glow streamed through the windows, casting a golden hue over the common room. Four plush sofas were arranged in a square around an oval glass table, its surface clean and subtly shimmering. Beneath it, a thick, patterned rug muffled our footsteps.

Hamish stepped in, his eyes sweeping over the space.

"Cozy," he said, and I could see why.

The walls, a deep, earthy brown, gave the room a grounded, comforting feel. Framed taprooms hung here and there. Beyond the common room, the kitchen beckoned with its door ajar, the stainless steel of the appliances glinting faintly from where I stood.

Between the two rooms, the staircase rose, the wooden banister smooth from years of use, leading up to the second floor where the bedrooms were tucked away. The thought of someone else walking those steps, entering our private spaces, felt strangely unsettling.

I took a breath, trying to ground myself. This was just my home, a place I'd known for years, yet seeing it through someone else's eyes made everything feel just a bit different, like stepping into a familiar room after someone had moved the furniture around.

"So, um, would you like some water?" I awkwardly asked, and seriously, I feel like punching myself right now.

"No thanks."

"I'm good."

I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to chill. I'd been to their house already, so why did it feel so weird having them at mine? It shouldn't be this awkward.

"So, where should we work?" Hamish asked, breaking the tension.

I saw a chance to escape, at least for a little while. "Um, you guys wait here. I'll bring some stuff from my room."

I practically fled upstairs as they settled into the sofas. I sighed as I closed my door behind me, leaning against it for a moment.

I tossed my backpack onto the bed and crouched down, trying to calm myself. It's just a normal work session with friends. Nothing wrong with that.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Reluctantly, I stood up to open it. Faye was standing there.

"Faye? Sorry for leaving you down there, I'm just looking for my notes..."

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle, her eyes showing just enough concern to let me know she was genuine.

I looked down, rubbing my eyes and frowning. I didn't mean to come off as awkward. I just wanted to calm down and keep going with this.

"Maybe today wasn't the best day to come..." she began.

"No, it's just... I'm not used to bringing anyone around, so..."

She muttered an "oh," understanding dawning in her expression.

"It's fine, it's just Hamish and me."

"I know."

I sighed, about to thank her for checking on me, when a sudden burst of yelling echoed from downstairs.

"Intruder!" The shout was followed by a loud thud, like someone had been shoved to the floor. I immediately recognized that voice.

"Wait! I'm Randy's friend!" Hamish's voice was strained, his words rushed as if he was trying to speak before something worse happened.

Faye and I exchanged a glance before rushing down to see what was going on. At the bottom of the stairs, we found Nathan pinning Hamish to the ground in a tight grip.

"Who's that?" Faye asked, more curious than concerned.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling the onset of a headache. "That's Nathan, my cousin."

"Oh," she muttered, surprisingly unfazed by her brother's predicament.

"Nathan!" I called out, quickly descending the last few steps, with Faye right behind me. "What the hell got into you? Let him go!"

Nathan narrowed his eyes at Hamish, suspicion etched across his face. "Why should I? What if he's a robber?"

"He's our age!"

"That's what he wants us to believe!" Nathan shot back, his grip still tight.

Seriously? What kind of logic was that? I was starting to worry more about my cousin's sanity than Hamish's well-being at this point.

"Dude! Let go! I told you I'm Randy's friend!" Hamish's voice was strained as he struggled against Nathan's surprisingly strong hold. "Besides, how would I even get in without any tools?"

Nathan turned to me, his expression serious. "Is that true?"

I nodded quickly. "I told you! He's Hamish—we're classmates."

For a moment, Nathan just stared at Hamish, who nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. "Uh-huh," Hamish managed to squeak out.

Before I could even begin to relax, the front door creaked open. I turned, half-expecting to see Rudolph or even Agathe since they used to come home early sometimes, but instead, I was completely thrown off by who actually stepped in.

"Josiah?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief. He stood there, arms laden with bags of chips and snacks—enough to last for days.

His eyes widened as he took in the bizarre scene. "What the hell is going on here?" he asked, clearly bewildered by the sight of Nathan practically wrestling Hamish to the ground.

That's what I'd like to know!