Lila did not go away.

  Elias had assumed their interaction would be a one-time occurrence, a moment of curiosity on her part that would fade once she realized he had nothing to offer. That was how it usually went—people spoke to him, found him strange, and then left.

  But Lila was different.

  The next day, she appeared again, sliding into the seat beside him in class as if she had always belonged there.

  “Morning, Elias,” she said cheerfully.

  He turned to look at her. “You’re sitting here again.”

  “Yep.”

  There was no hesitation, no explanation. She simply existed in his space now, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Elias considered this. “Why?”

  Lila tilted her head, tapping a finger against her chin. “Because I want to.”

  “That’s not a reason.”

  She laughed. “Sure it is. I like talking to you.”

  This, too, made no sense. Most people found talking to him uncomfortable. He was too direct, too blunt, too… unnatural.

  But Lila didn’t seem to mind.

  “Anyway,” she said, leaning closer, “I’ve decided something.”

  Elias blinked. “What?”

  “You need more fun in your life.”

  He frowned. “I have enough.”

  “Nope,” Lila said easily. “You don’t.”

  She pulled a notebook from her bag and flipped it open. It was covered in scribbles—messy handwriting, doodles in the margins. She tapped the page with her pen.

  “This is our list,” she announced.

  Elias leaned in slightly, reading the words scrawled across the top.

  Things to do with Elias.

  His brow furrowed. “Why is my name on this?”

  “Because it’s for you,” Lila said, as if it was obvious. “Or, well, for us. But mostly for you.”

  Elias read the first few items.

  1. Go to a café and try something new.

  2. Watch a funny movie.

  3. Go to the arcade and win a prize.

  4. Have a real conversation.

  He glanced at her. “Define ‘real conversation.’”

  Lila grinned. “You’ll see.”

  Elias studied the list again. “Some of these seem unnecessary.”

  “They’re fun,” she corrected. “And you need more of that.”

  She was relentless, unshaken by his lack of enthusiasm.

  Elias didn’t argue further.

  Because, for some reason, he didn’t completely dislike the idea.