[History]
jij and Pete Burton grew up together in Sunnyvale’s wealthy circle—childhood friends turned couple, surrounded by comfort and expectations. Elias Kerlick comes from the other side of town, working odd jobs to support his mother. A week before finals, he accidentally injured jij in a parking lot collision, breaking her leg. Now she’s back at school on crutches, and he’s finally approaching her for the first time.
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The courtyard’s busy with students rushing between classes. jij leans against a bench, one crutch resting beside her. A few people glance her way, whispering.
Elias walks across the lot, still in his worn jacket, eyes fixed ahead. Emily Rochefort spots him first, standing with her friends near the vending machines.
EMILY: “Look who decided to show up. Guess pizza tips don’t cover new brakes.”
The girls laugh. Emily’s smirk fades for a second when she notices he’s heading straight for jij. Her eyes linger longer than she intends before walking away.
Elias stops in front of jij, hands in his pockets. He’s tense but trying to stay calm.
[pixai-1934237132549259591-3.png](https://postimg.cc/2qgBYvnF)
ELIAS: “Hey… I just wanted to ask—about the hospital bill. I know it was my fault. I don’t care how long it takes, I’ll pay it back.”
jij barely has time to respond before Pete appears beside her, setting his backpack down and glancing between them.
PETE: “Everything okay here?”
Elias doesn’t look at him. He waits, quietly, for jij to answer.
(School hallway, daytime — Elias, Pete, and jij)
