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“Yeah, okay. Nervous then?”

“Sounds about right.” I take a deep breath, trying to settle the weird mix of anticipation and dread in my chest.

We step out of the dorm building and into the crisp morning air. The campus stretches ahead, classrooms, training fields, and other students moving in every direction. Everyone looks like they know exactly what they’re doing.

We stick close together as we head toward our first class. As we enter the main lecture hall, I spot someone at the back, someone I recognize. We both recognize him actually. Ethan Bennett.

He’s scanning the room, and when his eyes land on us, there’s a flicker of hesitation before a small smile spreads across his face. He starts walking toward us, and I turn toward Hayzel to whisper, “Ethan is here too.”

“Look who it is,” he says, sliding into the seat next to Hayzel and me.

I raise an eyebrow. “Bennett. Studying here now?”

“I got myself back on track after high school. Are you two not happy to see your old best friend again?” His grin is effortless, like nothing had changed.

Hayzel beams before replying, “Nope. I just hope you’re doing well. Last time I saw you, you were swiping bottles during graduation.”

“Reya got her fair share, didn’t she? Guess I was just a good friend,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “And you two? I didn’t realize this school was on your radar.”

Please don’t talk about this.

He probably remembers the version of me I keep trying to outgrow. The one who could finish a bottle before sunset and still ask if dying hurt. I haven't had a drink in sixty-three days. But Ethan Bennett knew me when I couldn't make it through three.

“Let’s just say all those years of training since middle school might finally pay off,” I reply, letting a small smile slip.

Hayzel glances at him with a small smirk on her lips. “Better focus this year, doesn’t look easy.”

He chuckles and opens his laptop. “Yes, ma’am,” he says, winking at her.

Ethan always carried that little chaos with him. Back then, it didn’t bother me. He fought older students when he was younger than Milo, disappeared for hours at a time… maybe he just needed space as I did back then.

We became friends quickly, he, Hayzel, and I. He lived just a few streets over, and somehow it just worked. He looks at me, eyes lingering a beat too long, like he’s trying to remember the last time he saw me. I look away, tracing the rim of my empty coffee cup instead, feeling the old memory curl up in my chest.

Hayzel nudges me with her elbow. “You’ve got to admit, it’s a little reassuring, seeing a familiar face on the first day.”

I glance at him, noting the ease in his smile, the relief in his eyes. He’s happy to be here with us, and for a moment, the chaos of the new academy doesn’t seem so overwhelming.

“Yeah,” I finally say, letting the corner of my mouth twitch. “It’s nice.”

He beams, glancing between us. “I’m glad to see you two again. I needed this. The first day alone would’ve been miserable without my two favorite girls.”

“Bullshit,” Hayzel and I replied at the same time.

The door swings open, snapping me out of the past, lights dim, the screen at the front flickers on, and the professor steps in.

14

Damien

Play - Teacher’s Pet by Melanie Martinez

You First

I watch closely as the students enter one by one, filling the classroom, each of the desks, and cramming next to their friends. It all feels very juvenile. Every muscle in my jaw tightens as I think about the optics of this case, the mission, everything.

Shit.

I go undercover for the first time in years, and it has to be under the disguise of a university professor?