Origin families

Now alone, with no teacher breathing down his neck and Maya conveniently outside, probably plotting something, Parker cracked open his laptop. The moment the screen glowed to life, though, he felt it—the buzz.

It was that annoying, clingy energy that spread like gossip in a place like this. Kids were already circling him, subtle at first, but then in full force like vultures. Some whispered his name. Others straight-up hovered too close, pretending to check their phones but obviously dying to start a conversation.

A few bold ones—mostly Annabelle and Maya's friends—took the initiative, asking questions like:

"Hey, Parker, what are you working on?"

"Dude, you good? You've been super quiet lately—what's up?"

"Omg, you have two phones?"

Parker didn't even look up. His fingers stayed frozen on the keyboard as he muttered, voice colder than winter in New York: "Not interested. Move."