Jack didn't hate people—he just preferred them in theory, like algebra.
In theory, moving to a new school was a chance to start fresh. In practice, it felt like being dropped into a group project where everyone already had partners, and he was holding the glue stick no one asked for.
His transfer wasn't exactly voluntary. His parents were scraping by, chasing part-time gigs and side hustles that barely kept the lights on. The new school came with a scholarship for math nerds who could solve problems faster than they could make friends—which meant Jack was practically overqualified.
He kept his hoodie up, phone off, and expectations lower than his family's bank account. Being invisible was easier. It gave him space to focus on what really mattered: numbers, strategy, and surviving high school without speaking more than six words a day.
And definitely not bumping into her.
But fate, being the dramatic mess it was, had other plans.
Jack tried not to think about the girl who once made him believe in miracles. Tyla Maris. Back then, she had braces, hair like a cotton candy explosion, and a laugh that made him think maybe, just maybe, math wasn't the only beautiful thing in the world.
So, naturally, he confessed. Anonymously. Via text. Like a legend.
And she rejected him. Brutally. Blocked him. Thought he was one of the pervy meme-lords from school.
To be fair… she wasn't entirely wrong. But also, she was entirely wrong.
"Hey!" someone called.
Jack turned, and there she was. Tyla. Taller. Glossier. Practically glowing with social confidence. And definitely looking at him.
His brain short-circuited.
She squinted. "Do I know you?"
Jack panicked. "No. I'm just… average. Like statistically. Not suspicious. Definitely not a stalker."
She blinked.
He died a little inside.
"Oh… okay?" she said, and walked off with her friends, probably to report him to security.
Jack exhaled, face hot enough to power a toaster.
Day one: nailed it.
He muttered to himself as he entered the building, "In math, there's always a solution.
In life… I'm the error message."