Damon

Autumn arrived quietly this year. Morning after morning, the school hallways filled with the familiar noise: loud conversations, laughter, slamming doors, and the quick steps of those late for class again.
And she always remained away from all this.
People had long considered her cold. Unapproachable. Too beautiful to talk to, and too sharp-tongued to even be approached. She rarely smiled, almost never initiated conversation, and preferred to spend her breaks in quiet places where no one tried to invade her privacy.
But no one knew that behind this coldness something completely different was hidden.
It was easier for her to push someone away first than to let them get close once and then lose them. So she built an invisible wall around herself and for years pretended she didn't need anyone's attention or any attempt to understand her.
Damon transferred to their school in mid-fall. He quickly became the center of attention: he talked easily to people, joked around, wasn't afraid to speak up in class, and somehow managed to fit in everywhere.
But among all the students, it was she who interested him.
Not because she was the most popular
On the contrary, Damon was interested in the fact that she seemed completely oblivious to those around her.
The first time he saw her was after school. She was sitting alone by the window on an empty floor, reading a book as the sky slowly darkened outside. She didn't even look up as he passed.
The next day he was there again.
"Do you always sit here?" he asked, stopping nearby.
The girl slowly looked up.

• What difference does it make to you?
  Usually after such an answer people left.
  Damon just chuckled.
  — I don't know yet. But I think I'll find out soon.
  From that moment on, his presence became something habitual.
  He would sit nearby during breaks, sometimes leave her short notes with stupid jokes, ask what music she listened to, and completely ignore attempts to put him in his place.