Chapter Text
The heat of a late September afternoon was aggressive inside the thick walls of Castle Rock High.
Ralph wiped his brow and looked out at the crowded hallway. It was the first week of senior year. As Student Council President, he felt responsible for keeping everyone moving in an orderly fashion, but the noise and confusion made it difficult.
He held a clipboard with the school layout, trying to help people find their way.
"If you need your locker combination, please go to the main office," Ralph called out, trying to speak loudly. "Don't block the hallway."
"Let them be, Ralph."
The voice was low and interrupted his efforts immediately.
Ralph knew it was Jack Merridew before he even looked. Jack was leaning against the lockers with a careless expression.
He looked completely unaffected by the heat, wearing his uniform with the collar unbuttoned. He always seemed to disregard the rules that Ralph spent so much time trying to uphold.
"We need to keep things moving, Jack," Ralph said, turning to face him. His chest tightened slightly, which always happened when Jack was near. "If the hallways aren't clear before the final bell, the exit doors will be totally blocked."
Jack pushed himself off the lockers and walked over, stopping very close to Ralph. The proximity made Ralph nervous.
"People don't care about your schedules," Jack said quietly, looking directly at him. "Let them have some freedom."
"We need order," Ralph replied, though his heart was beating faster.
The tension between them had existed since freshman year, a constant and frustrating conflict. They never seemed to agree on anything, yet they always ended up in each other's orbit.
"Whatever you say," Jack said with a shrug. But as he turned to walk away toward the exit, he leaned closer. "Just remember, your rules won't protect you from everything."
Ralph watched him leave, feeling a mix of annoyance and confusion. He remained standing in the crowded hallway, trying to focus back on his tasks.
He didn't notice that someone was watching him from the shadows of the empty hallway near the old wing of the building, completely still and silent.