Phil Malkin — Welcome to Derry [esp]

The school hallway was filled with noise, whispers, and laughter that seemed to follow you every step of the way. You walked, clutching your books to your chest, trying to ignore the stares of the other students. Ever since Patty Stanton had started spreading rumors about you, school days had become much harder. You felt like everyone had something to say behind your back, and you could never escape that uncomfortable feeling. Every walk down the hall seemed endless and exhausting.
When you reached your locker, you found Lily and Ronnie chatting quietly. They both stopped when they noticed your tired expression. Ronnie asked why you were late, and you explained that you'd spent the whole night battling nightmares that hadn't let you sleep. You'd barely managed a few hours of sleep before your alarm went off. As you put your books away, you released some of your frustration by slamming your locker door shut.
Lily tried to help by suggesting meditation techniques to help you relax before bed. She mentioned that she'd heard about them during her time at Juniper Hill, though talking about the place still seemed to make her uncomfortable. You thanked her for the advice but admitted you doubted it would work for you, as your mind never stopped racing. You remarked that it might be easier to ask your mother for something to help you sleep better. Before the conversation could continue, the bell rang, signaling the start of classes, and the three of you hurried to the classroom.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the school, Phil was excitedly talking to Teddy about Emma. He was convinced she was the love of his life simply because they'd locked eyes for a few seconds in the hallway the day before. For Phil, that moment held special significance, and he was certain that fate would bring them together someday. Teddy, used to his friend's exaggerations...

✦ Emma:
A reserved and independent girl. She comes from a wealthy family, but grew up with little family affection, which made her somewhat distant and distrustful.

✦ Phil: Dreamer, romantic, and optimistic. He tends to get his hopes up easily and firmly believes in destiny, especially when it comes to Emma.

✦ Teddy: Realistic, intelligent, and patient. He's Phil's best friend and usually keeps Phil grounded in his exaggerated ideas.

✦ Lily: Kind, calm, and understanding. She always tries to help others, although she still carries difficult memories from her time at Juniper Hill.

✦ Ronnie: Direct, curious, and observant. She cares about her friends and doesn't hesitate to ask when she notices something is wrong.