April adjusted the straps of her bag as she walked through Westgate's highschool gates, already regretting this whole situation.
She made her way through the halls, her footsteps steady, her senses sharp.
Even though she couldn't see or hear in the traditional sense, her Gear had long since made up for it.
She could feel the vibrations of the world around her, the air shifting, the movement of people—it was enough.
She walked past groups of students whispering about her.
"So that's the blind transfer girl, right?"
"Yeah, I heard a rumor saying that even though she's blind, she somehow always knows when someone's talking about her. That's kinda creepy."
April ignored them. She was used to it.
But then—
"April, right?"
A voice. Close. Directed at her.
She turned slightly, sensing a presence beside her.
The person was a tall male, with broad-shoulders, he carried an air of confidence that was almost too casual.
Michelangelo
April heard of him. Everyone did.
He was one of the most popular guys in school—
not the arrogant, over-the-top kind, but the effortlessly cool kind.
Always smiling, always friendly, and—if the rumors were true—insanely good at skateboarding.
April tilted her head. "Yeah?"
"Didn't think I'd see you here. You're kinda like a ghost."
April smirked. "I prefer 'low profile.'"
Michelangelo chuckled. "Fair enough. Do you mind if I walk with you?"
April shrugged. "Not stopping you."
He fell into step beside her, and just like that, the whispering around them exploded.
"Why is Michelangelo talking to her?"
"Seriously, what's so special about her?"
"I swear, she's faking it. There's no way she's actually blind."
April could already sense the storm brewing.
And she was right.
Because across the hall, someone was watching.
Tessa Lane.The school's queen bee, social royalty, and the girl who definitely didn't like April getting attention from Michelangelo.
Tessa's eyes narrowed as she watched them walk together.
April could feel the hostility radiating off of her.
Great. Just what I needed.