Felix was humming something off-key while taping another ridiculous poster to the dorm wall.
Leon turned his head—and froze.
It wasn't the wall of memes, or Rafael's poster of his favorite MMA fighter, or even the limited edition Hogwarts house crest that Adrian pretended not to like but clearly loved.
No.
It was the photo beside the window.
Black and white. Slightly faded. Probably from some campus event last term.
A girl.
Long dark hair.
A soft, intelligent smile.
Eyes that looked like they'd seen through the world—and chosen to be kind anyway.
Evelyn.
Her name hit him like a thunderclap.
Not yet the Evelyn he would later chase through airports, boardrooms, and memories.
This was high school Evelyn. Before the world hardened them. Before the goodbye that was never quite said.
"Who's that?" he asked, knowing damn well who it was.
Felix glanced at the photo. "Oh, her? Evelyn Hart. Art department's crown jewel. She transferred in last semester, kind of a mystery girl. You've probably never noticed her. She mostly keeps to herself."
Leon didn't answer.
Because in his last life, she wasn't just someone he noticed—
She was the one he never forgot.
⸻
They left the dorm together, headed for the dining hall. Windsor Academy was already buzzing with new term energy—first years walking stiff like they'd swallowed rulers, upperclassmen nodding like kings surveying their kingdoms.
"Hey, you coming to the club expo later?" Felix asked, juggling a croissant and an orange juice with all the grace of a caffeinated giraffe.
"Maybe," Leon muttered. His eyes scanned the crowds automatically.
And then he saw her.
Across the lawn.
A sketchbook hugged to her chest. Her hair caught sunlight like a silent halo.
She was walking alone, but it looked intentional—like the world had to keep its distance just to admire her in motion.
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
Enough for something ancient and unspoken to stir in him.
Then she looked away.
"Oof," Felix said, following his gaze. "You're staring at Evelyn again."
Leon blinked. "Again?"
"Dude, you made the same face when she read that poem last semester. The whole sonnet-and-sigh combo. It was embarrassing."
"I didn't even know her last term," Leon said, mostly to himself.
"Yeah well, maybe that's your chance now," Felix winked. "Clean slate, my dude. Don't waste it."
⸻
Leon glanced at the photo again that evening, long after the others had fallen asleep.
He traced the edge of her smile with his eyes, remembering a future that hadn't happened yet.
Maybe this time, I'll say something.
Maybe this time, he wouldn't let her walk away.