𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 : [ 𝚔𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚒𝚍𝚘𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 ]

Year 1993

The bell rang shrilly through the halls of Las Vegas High, signalling the start of another dreary afternoon. Spencer Reid sighed and closed his chemistry textbook, reluctantly packing up his bag for the long walk to the school library.

As a 12-year-old student attending high school courses far beyond his grade level, Spencer found the day's lessons elementary and the other students immature. He often escaped to the quiet sanctuary of the library during free periods, escaping their teasing and taunts.

Zipping his bag shut, Spencer slung it over his shoulder and headed for the doorway. Unfortunately, he wasn't quick enough to avoid the lumbering form of Billy Jenkins, resident school bully. "Well if it isn't baby genius," Billy sneered, blocking Spencer's path. "Off to read your little baby books?"

"Actually, I was just studying advanced inorganic chemistry, a subject clearly beyond your intellectual capacities," Spencer replied without thinking. His sarcastic comment earned him a rough shove against the lockers.

"Watch your mouth, bitch," Billy growled, raising a meaty fist. Before he could take a swing, a worn-out Chuck Taylor sailed through the air, smacking Billy sharply in the back of the head. He let out an outraged roar and spun around angrily to find the offender.

"Hey caveman, why don't you find someone else to pick on for once?" a feminine voice asked with amusement.

A petite auburn-haired girl with deep brown eyes stood with her hands on her hips, staring Billy down with unbridled confidence. She couldn't have been more than 5 feet tall, but she carried herself as if she were twice that size.

"This isn't your business, carrot top," Billy sneered. "Why don't you scurry along before you get hurt?"

The girl gave a melodic giggle. "Oh, please, we both know you'd never lay a finger on me. Not if you want to keep that prize-winning mouth of yours intact." She gave him a pointed look and tapped her earlobe, as if reminding him of some invisible listening device.

Billy paled slightly but tried to keep up his bravado. "You think your brother scares me? I'd break him in half."

The girl smirked. "Maybe, but it would be the last thing you ever did. Now run along, little man, before Mommy has to come pick you up from the nurse's office...again."

Billy hesitated another moment before shooting the pair a dirty look and stomping off down the hall, muttering curse words under his breath.

The girl watched him go with an amused glint in her eye before turning to face Spencer. Her thick red hair framed her face in flowing waves, and her irises shone a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of brown hues, shimmering with hints of gold and amber. Spencer found himself getting lost in their vibrant colour, like peering into an endless autumn forest.

She assessed him silently for a long moment before breaking into a warm smile. "You must be Spencer. I've heard all about your big, beautiful brain." She tilted her head, red locks tumbling over her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Spencer nodded mutely, still enraptured. He couldn't help but think she was the most intriguing person he'd ever met. Her eyes danced with intelligence and mirth, sparkling with some hidden humour that only she understood, her voice was so captivating that they left Spencer uncharacteristically at a loss for words, something he never imagined possible.

When he didn't offer a verbal response, she laughed lightly. "I'm Ophelia Kingston. It's lovely to finally meet you, Spencer Reid." She held out her hand, but Spencer hesitated, instead giving a little wave.

"I don't actually like to shake hands," he blurted quickly. "Statistically speaking, kissing is a much more hygienic greeting than handshaking, as it transfers fewer pathogens between individuals. However, initiating non-consensual kissing would be unethical, so a friendly wave is generally the most respectful option."

Ophelia threw her head back and laughed loudly, a rich bell-like sound that echoed off the empty halls. Spencer flushed, realising he'd rambled, but Ophelia didn't seem to mind.

"You have a beautiful brain, Spencer Reid." She repeated before leaning in closer and pressed a playful kiss on his flaming cheek. "How's that for hygienic?" She grinned, eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Now that we've been properly introduced by germ-free standards, let's get out of here." She took his hand in hers and began leading him down the hall at a brisk pace. Spencer's brain threatened to short-circuit at the unfamiliar sensations of a girl's soft skin against his, her tiny fingers twining with his own. He stumbled after her in a daze, forgetting the statistics of pathogens and germs transfers when holding hands with another person.

"W-where are we going?" Spencer asked, thrown by this puzzling new friend. Ophelia shot him an impish smile over her shoulder, eyes sparkling like warm amber in the sunshine.

"To the library, of course. I've been dying to meet Las Vegas' very own child prodigy and see that beautiful brain of yours in action. Plus, we can compare IQ scores and debate theoretical physics. It'll be a blast, you'll see!" Her pure enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge were intoxicating. Before he knew it, they had arrived at the library doors, and Ophelia was dragging him inside eagerly.

Once safely ensconced at a back table, trays of scattered papers and open books between them, Ophelia leaned forward with her chin propped eagerly in her hands. "Alright, Wonder Boy, it's quiz time. Hit me with your best nerdy fact."

A smile spread across Spencer's face, the joy of sharing information with an attentive peer for the first time overwhelming any lingering reservations. "Did you know that the average person forgets 90% of their dreams?" he began, launching into a detailed explanation of dream cognition and memory recall.

Ophelia listened raptly, refraining from interrupting with questions even as her eyes gleamed with curiosity. Letting Spencer infodump and ramble without judgement was a novel experience, and he found himself captivated by the kaleidoscope wonder of her eyes and smile.

In that moment, everything else faded away—the school, the bullies, his lonely isolation. It was just him and this remarkable girl, brought together through kindred minds and spirits. For the first time, Spencer Reid felt truly seen and understood. And he knew somehow that his life would never be the same.

Their study session stretched on for a while and only ended when a booming voice interrupted their spirited debate on string theory. "O, it's time to go." A voice rang out. The two child prodigy looked to their side to see Daniel Kingston lounged against a bookshelf, a hint of stubble shadowing his strong jaw. At 17, he remained an enigma to all who knew of his fearsome protection of his little sister. Said sister sighed dramatically but began packing up.

"I suppose big bro is right, can't leave him alone for a second or he'd get himself killed," she jokingly grumbled. Daniel ruffled her hair playfully in response. Gathering her things, Ophelia turned back to Spencer with a soft smile. "It was lovely meeting you, Spencer. Thank you for letting me pick your brain all afternoon. We have to do this again soon!"

Unable to help himself, Spencer grasped her hand. "I'd love for us to be friends." His declaration hung heavy in the air as Ophelia gazed at him with unexpected tenderness. Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she leaned in and kissed his cheek once more.

"Friends, it is. See you around, genius boy." And with that and a flirty wink, Ophelia skipped off to join her brother's side, glancing back at Spencer with those kaleidoscopic eyes one last time before disappearing down the hallway. Spencer stood transfixed, his cheeks tingling from her kiss, as he watched them leave hand in hand.

A friend - a real friend. His dreary school days had just become infinitely brighter.