The morning sun cut through the blinds of Sky's room, casting stripes across Scott's face. He blinked awake slowly, wincing as he sat up. The pain in his side had dulled to a sharp ache, but it wasn't unbearable — not anymore.
His hoodie lay folded on the chair. The tear in the side was worse than he remembered. The blood had dried.
Sky was downstairs already, judging by the smell of toast and coffee.
Scott took his time.
---
The halls of Mystic Grove High buzzed with life — fluorescent lights flickering, sneakers squeaking, lockers slamming. It felt smaller than Scott remembered. Narrower. Louder.
He passed a few familiar faces. Some waved. Some didn't. Most just stared — long enough for him to feel like a rumor with legs.
"Scott Tyson?" a voice called from behind.
He turned.
Zelta Twilight stood a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest, her silver-blonde braid swinging slightly. Her violet eyes — the kind no one ever forgot — narrowed in a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
"Wow," she said. "So it's true. You're back."
Scott gave a cautious smile. "Hey, Z. It's been a while."
"Three years." Her gaze flicked to the bandage peeking out under his shirt. "What happened?"
"Wild dog, maybe. I'm fine."
Before she could reply, another voice cut in. "Zee, come on. Coach'll kill us if we're late."
Jackson White jogged over — Mystic Grove's golden boy, still all broad shoulders and cocky charm. His expression faltered slightly when he saw Scott.
There was a long pause.
Then Jackson said, "Huh. Never thought I'd see you back here."
"Guess we both lost that bet," Scott said, forcing another smile.
The three of them stood in awkward silence — just long enough to remember how close they'd once been, and how far apart they were now.
"Anyway," Jackson said finally, grabbing Zelta's hand, "we gotta run."
Zelta gave Scott one last glance before letting Jackson pull her down the hall.
Scott watched them go, heart sinking just a little. Friends who used to be everything, now barely nodding in the hallway.
He turned and nearly bumped into Sky.
"Don't let them get to you," Sky said, nodding toward the couple disappearing around the corner.
"I'm not."
"You're lying."
Scott smirked faintly. "Maybe a little."
Sky studied him. "You sure you're up for this? You don't look like you slept."
"I didn't sleep much."
"Nightmares?"
Scott hesitated. "Something like that."
They fell into step together, their shoulders brushing. Sky didn't press further — not yet.
But something about Scott had changed.
And Sky wasn't the only one starting to notice.