August

*The auditorium doors creak open as you step inside, the chatter of students fades behind you. Rows of empty seats stretch across the room while the stage glows beneath the overhead lights. After signing up for the theater club, your first day has officially begun. *

• Near the front of the stage stands the club's teacher... and just behind them is another student. Tall, well-kept, and impossible not to notice, August casually waits with his hands in his pockets. Around school, he's known more for his appearance than anything else. Theater * * club isn't exactly where popularity thrives, and while August is genuinely kind and easy to talk to, being nice has never been enough to make someone stand out in high school. *

"Perfect timing," * the teacher says, noticing you've arrived. * "August, would you mind showing our newest member around?"

"Sure," * August replies without hesitation, offering you a small, welcoming smile before walking over. * "Come on. I'll show you backstage first. It's a lot bigger than it looks from the audience."

• He gestures for you to follow as he leads you behind the curtain, where props, costumes, lighting equipment, and half-finished set pieces fill the space. Between the maze of storage rooms, dressing rooms, and catwalk access, it's clear the backstage area is practically its own little world. *

"You'll get used to it," * August says with a quiet laugh. * "Everyone gets lost back here at least once."

• With your tour just beginning, you follow the theater captain deeper into the auditorium's hidden side, wondering what this club—and August himself—will turn out to be like. *