Loner

The sun had barely risen above the dusty Arizona horizon when the trio made their way through the hallways of Lee Williams High School. The building buzzed with the usual chatter of students heading to their first classes, but Jane, Aria, and Thorne had only one destination in mind: Principal O'Gassery's office.

Jane led the way, her auburn hair neatly braided and cascading down her back, blending as much as possible with the crowd. Aria followed close behind, her dark hair framing her focused expression. Thorne trailed with his usual energy, though his grin was replaced by a look of faint curiosity. They stopped in front of the office door, its frosted glass bearing the principal's name in bold black letters.

Jane knocked politely before stepping inside. O'Gassery, a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard and a crisp suit, looked up from his cluttered desk. His piercing blue eyes softened as he saw them. "Ah, my favorite exchange students. What can I do for you this morning?"

Jane smiled, her tone measured and polite. "Principal O'Gassery, we've been thinking. We appreciate the special language classes, but we'd like to switch to normal classes now."

O'Gassery leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "Normal classes? Are you sure? Adjusting to regular coursework might be a bit of a challenge for you."

Aria stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "We've worked hard, sir. We're confident we can manage. We'd like the chance to learn alongside everyone else."

Thorne nodded enthusiastically, though his words were less refined. "Yes! We ready. Learn with others."

The principal smiled faintly, clearly amused by Thorne's broken English. "Well, I can see you're all determined. I admire that. All right, I'll make the arrangements." He rose from his chair, straightening his tie. "Follow me. I'll take you to one of the classes now."

The trio exchanged quick glances before following O'Gassery out of the office. The walk through the hallways felt longer than it should have, each step weighed down by anticipation. Jane glanced at Aria, whose lips were pressed into a thin line, her dark eyes scanning the students around them. Thorne, meanwhile, seemed distracted, his gaze flicking between the lockers and the occasional posters advertising sports events and school dances.

"So… we go to real class," Thorne said, breaking the silence. "Maybe… learn… bowling tricks?"

Jane rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Thorne, focus. This is important."

"I focus. Just… joke."

Aria shook her head but stayed quiet, her mind clearly elsewhere, likely replaying Stephen's words from the previous day. If Changra really was here, this might be their best chance to find him.

Finally, they stopped in front of a classroom door. O'Gassery turned to them, his expression calm but encouraging. "This is one of our junior-level classes. The students here are bright, and I'm sure they'll make you feel welcome. Just do your best to keep up, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it."

Jane nodded. "Thank you, Principal O'Gassery."

With that, he opened the door, stepping inside. The room fell silent as the students turned to look at the newcomers. Rows of desks filled the space, and at the back of the room, a figure caught Jane's eye immediately. A boy with disheveled black hair sat slouched in his seat, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on the desk in front of him. Even from across the room, there was no mistaking him.

Changra.

The air seemed to grow heavier, the moment stretching into what felt like an eternity. Jane's heart raced, her mind scrambling to process the sight of him sitting there, so close yet so far.

"Good morning, class," O'Gassery began, his voice breaking the tension. "We have some new students joining us today. Please give them a warm welcome."

The students murmured among themselves, their curiosity evident as they took in the trio's striking appearances. O'Gassery gestured for them to step forward.

"Would you three like to introduce yourselves?"

Jane nodded, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. "My name is Jane. It's nice to meet you all."

Aria followed, her tone measured and confident. "I'm Aria. Thank you for having us."

Thorne stepped up last, his grin returning. "I Thorne. Good to meet. I… try not to talk too much."

A few students chuckled, and O'Gassery smiled. "I'm sure you'll do fine, Thorne." He turned to the class. "Now, let's find seats for our new students. Jane, Aria, and Thorne, feel free to choose any open desk."

Jane's eyes drifted back to Changra, who hadn't looked up once. He seemed completely indifferent to the commotion, his focus unwavering on the desk in front of him. Taking a deep breath, she led the group to the only available seats—just one row in front of him. As she slid into her chair, her hands trembled slightly, though she hid it well.

Aria sat to her right, her posture tense, while Thorne took the seat on her left, glancing curiously at the boy in the back. None of them spoke as the teacher began the lesson, their thoughts consumed by the boy sitting just behind them.

Jane dared a glance over her shoulder, her breath catching as her eyes met Changra's for the briefest of moments. His gaze was sharp and unreadable, his face a mask of quiet detachment. Then, just as quickly, he looked away, leaving Jane to wonder if he'd even recognized her at all.

The class settled into a routine hum as the teacher, Mrs. Caldwell, began her lecture. She was an older woman with short, curly gray hair and an air of authority that kept most students quiet and focused. She introduced the day's topic—American history during the early 20th century—and began writing on the board, her movements brisk and deliberate.

Jane tried to focus, her pen moving mechanically across her notebook as she copied down the notes. But her mind kept drifting to the boy behind her. She couldn't help but wonder how he could sit there so calmly, so detached, as if the world around him didn't exist. She wanted to turn around, to say something, but every time she thought about it, her stomach tightened with hesitation.

Beside her, Aria's posture was rigid, her eyes fixed on the board. She wasn't taking notes, though. Her pen tapped against the edge of her notebook, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Occasionally, her gaze flicked toward the back of the room, where Changra sat, unmoving.

Thorne, on the other hand, was less subtle. His desk creaked softly as he shifted to get a better look at Changra. He squinted, his head tilting slightly, as if he could piece together some hidden truth just by studying him. A sharp nudge from Jane's elbow brought him back to reality.

"Stop staring," Jane hissed under her breath.

Thorne leaned closer, his voice low but gruff. "He… not same. Does not look… like before."

Jane glanced at him sharply, her voice barely audible. "Of course he's not the same. He doesn't even remember us."

The exchange was interrupted by Mrs. Caldwell's voice cutting through the room. "Thorne, is there something you'd like to share with the class?"

Thorne froze, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Uh… no, ma'am. Just… learning."

A few students chuckled, but Mrs. Caldwell merely raised an eyebrow before continuing her lecture.

Aria leaned slightly toward Jane, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's the plan? We can't just sit here."

"We wait," Jane whispered back, her grip tightening on her pen. "Class will end soon. We'll figure it out then."

The minutes dragged on, each tick of the clock a reminder of how close yet unreachable Changra felt. Every now and then, Jane dared to glance over her shoulder, but Changra never lifted his gaze from his notebook. He was writing, his hand moving in smooth, deliberate strokes. Whatever he was focusing on, it wasn't the lecture.

When Mrs. Caldwell called on him to answer a question, his response was quick, direct, and correct. The teacher nodded approvingly, though Changra didn't react to the praise. He simply went back to writing, his expression unchanged.

"He's… smart," Thorne muttered, his tone tinged with a mix of admiration and frustration.

Jane didn't respond. She could feel Aria's tension radiating beside her, the air between them heavy with unspoken questions. They had spent so long searching for Changra, and now that they'd found him, it felt like he was farther away than ever.

The bell rang, a sharp, shrill sound that jolted Jane from her thoughts. Students began gathering their things, the hum of conversation filling the room as they filed out. Jane hesitated, her hand lingering on her notebook. She turned slightly, just in time to see Changra stand, his movements fluid and practiced.

He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward the door without so much as a glance in their direction. The trio exchanged a quick, uncertain look before rising to follow him.

"Now?" Aria asked quietly.

Jane nodded, her voice firm. "Now."

They moved quickly, weaving through the throng of students in the hallway to catch up with him. Changra's pace was steady but not hurried, his focus seemingly on some distant destination. It was almost surreal, watching him move through the crowd as if he were invisible, untouched by the chaos around him.

The trio followed Changra through the crowded hallway, weaving between students as he made his way toward the exit. Jane's pulse quickened with each step, her thoughts racing as she tried to figure out what to say. Aria stayed close, her gaze sharp and focused, while Thorne trailed slightly behind, his expression unreadable for once.

Changra pushed open the heavy glass doors at the front of the school, stepping into the Arizona sunlight. The warmth cast a golden glow over the campus, but it did nothing to brighten the boy's demeanor. He walked a few more steps before stopping abruptly in the shade of a tall mesquite tree. Turning sharply, he faced them.

"What do you want with me?" Changra's voice was low, quiet, but it carried a sharp edge. His blue eyes, once vibrant and full of life, now seemed faded and hollow, as if the light inside them had long since burned out. His shoulders were tense, his posture defensive, as if he expected an attack at any moment—whether physical or verbal.

Jane froze, caught off guard by the weight of his gaze. There was no recognition in his expression, only suspicion and something deeper—something broken. Aria stepped up beside her, but even she hesitated under the intensity of his stare.

"We don't want to hurt you," Jane said quickly, her voice steady but soft. She raised her hands slightly, a gesture of peace. "We just wanted to talk."

Changra's eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Talk? About what?" He took a small step back, his hand tightening around the strap of his bag. "I don't even know you. Why are you following me?"

Thorne stepped forward, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by something more serious. "We… not bad. Promise."

Changra's gaze flicked to him, his expression unreadable. "That's what people always say," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "Right before they prove they're just like everyone else."

The words hung in the air, heavy and bitter. Jane felt her chest tighten as she took a cautious step closer. "We're not like everyone else. I promise. We don't want anything from you. We just…" She paused, searching for the right words. "We just thought you might need a friend."

Changra let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "A friend? That's rich." His voice grew colder, his gaze hardening. "People like you don't just… decide to be friends with people like me. It doesn't work that way."

Aria's fists clenched at her sides, but her voice was calm when she spoke. "Why not? Why can't it work that way?"

Changra stared at her, his jaw tightening. For a moment, he seemed to struggle with an answer, his faded blue eyes flickering with something close to anger—or maybe pain. "Because it never does," he said finally, his tone laced with a weary finality. "Now just… leave me alone."

He turned sharply, as if to walk away, but something in the way his shoulders slumped made Jane step forward again. "Wait," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "We're not trying to hurt you. Just give us a chance."

Changra hesitated, his back still to them. For a moment, it looked like he might turn around, but then he shook his head. "I don't need a chance," he said quietly. "And I don't need you."

With that, he started walking again, his figure shrinking as he moved farther away. The trio stood there in silence, the weight of the encounter settling heavily over them. Jane's heart ached as she watched him go, his loneliness palpable even from a distance.

Aria broke the silence, her voice low but steady. "He's not going to make this easy."

Jane nodded, her jaw tightening with determination. "We'll just have to try harder."

The trio exchanged quick glances, their resolve hardening as Changra's figure grew smaller in the distance. Jane and Aria hesitated for a moment, but Thorne took the lead, determination etched across his face. His heavy steps crunched against the gravel as he called out.

"Wait!" Thorne's voice carried through the warm Arizona air, and Changra's figure slowed, his shoulders tensing visibly.

Changra turned around reluctantly, his faded blue eyes narrowing as he regarded them. His posture was still defensive, his hand clutching the strap of his bag tightly. "What now?" he asked, his tone laced with frustration and weariness.

Thorne stepped forward, his usual grin absent. "Do you… not recognize us?" His English was halting but clear enough to convey the question.

Changra's brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. He took a small step back, increasing the distance between himself and the trio. "Recognize you? What are you talking about?" His voice softened slightly, tinged with uncertainty. "I don't even know who you are."

Thorne tilted his head, his expression earnest. "Think. Maybe… before. Somewhere."

Changra's frown deepened, his faded eyes darting between them as if searching for a clue. "Before what? No. I've never met you." He crossed his arms, his defensive posture returning. "Look, I don't know what this is about, but I don't have time for it. My aunt is expecting me soon."

Jane stepped forward, her voice steady but measured. "We're not trying to make you late. We just thought… maybe you'd remember us. From before."

Changra shook his head, his confusion mingling with frustration. "Before what? I've lived here my whole life. I don't know you." He glanced toward the road leading away from the school grounds, his body tense, like he was ready to bolt. "I don't get why you're so interested in me. I'm just a guy trying to get through school. That's it."

Aria, standing beside Jane, spoke next, her tone calm but insistent. "We're not here to bother you. We just think there's more to you than you realize."

Changra's jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "More to me? What does that even mean?" His eyes flicked between the three of them, a mix of skepticism and annoyance. "Look, I don't know what you're trying to pull, but whatever it is, I'm not interested."

Thorne stepped closer, his voice softer now. "We only want… to help."

Changra stared at him, his gaze filled with wariness and frustration. "Help with what? I'm fine. I don't need your help, and I definitely don't need your pity."

The words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Changra glanced at the time on his phone, his body stiffening as if reminded of an obligation. "I really have to go. My aunt doesn't like it when I'm late."

Without waiting for a response, he turned sharply, his bag slung over his shoulder, and began walking away again, leaving the trio standing under the mesquite tree. Jane clenched her fists, her chest tight with frustration and sadness.

"He really doesn't remember," she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.

Aria exhaled, her voice a mix of resignation and determination. "Then we'll make him remember."

Thorne nodded slowly, his gaze following Changra's retreating form. "We keep trying. Not give up."

As Changra disappeared around the corner, the trio stood in the shadow of the tree, their shared purpose unwavering despite the setback. They had come too far to let him slip away now.