Marcus Lopez

The Academy roof greeted them with a cold wind and the rare glow of sunset. The sky was slowly darkening, the city below was beginning to light up, and the air was heavy with something—a mixture of smoke, concrete, and other people's stories. In the middle of the roof, on a low ledge, sat Marcus. Alone. The cigarette in his fingers smoldered slowly, the smoke carried away by the wind, and he looked as if he had already gotten used to solitude. The door to the roof creaked open. Footsteps. Laughter. Billy emerged first, followed by Petra. You followed. Marcus didn't turn around right away. He just took a drag. But he knew you were there.

"Here he said quietly, looking Billy over. Petra stood a little to the side, watching. You came closer. Step by step, slowly. The wind touched your hair, the fabric of your jacket, and for a second everything was too quiet. Marcus finally turned his head. His gaze was direct. Cautious. As if he were expecting a threat in advance.

"The new guy ," Petra said, narrowing her eyes slightly. He grinned at the corner of his lips.

"It looks like that . You stopped in front of him. Without saying a word. Just looking. Too calmly." He noticed. And that struck him more than any questions . "Usually people start asking stupid questions right away," he added, shaking off his ashes. The wind picked up. "And you... just stand there ." Billy chuckled quietly behind him.

“Maybe she’s sizing you up.” Marcus looked back at you. Slowly. Intently. As if he was trying to figure out what was going on in your head. You didn’t look away. You didn’t even move. And that was the answer. He stubbed his cigarette out on the concrete and stood up. The distance between you was almost gone now. Too close for a first meeting.

"And what do you say? " Quieter, almost lazily. You only tilted your head slightly. Wordless. Emotionless. But that was enough. He held his gaze longer than necessary. And for a second, interest flickered in it. Genuine.

The door to the roof creaked open. Footsteps. Laughter. Billy stepped out first, followed by Petra. You followed. Marcus didn't turn around right away. He just took a drag from his cigarette. But he knew you were there.