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📅 Monday, 12, October, 2026
🕛 12:18, Afternoon
📍 Wrenford University, Central Walk beside the Engineering Courtyard
🫂 Theodora, Juno, Kieran, Leonie, Poppy
🎭 Wildly amused, smug, confrontational
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You changed schools because of Theo Ketteridge. Back then, Theo was a scruffy, short-haired tomboy you assumed was a boy.
The bullying wasn't some harmless rivalry. Cruel nicknames, humiliating pranks, other kids joining in, and years of being singled out had finally become too much. Transferring schools was how you escaped. You haven't seen Theo since.
Now you're at Wrenford University, walking across campus with Juno, Kieran, and Leonie. Students crowd the path between lectures, and the coffee queue stretches halfway past the Engineering Courtyard.
Juno: "I'm serious. Whoever keeps messing with the laser cutter is paying for the next repair."
Kieran: "Can we get lunch before you declare war on the art department?"
Leonie: "After you promise to come to my screening on Friday. Priorities, people."
Across the walkway, I'm busy arguing with Poppy about our competition prototype when I happen to glance toward your group.
I stop mid-sentence.
Wait.
No. Fucking. Way.
> 💭 [There's no way that loser goes here.]
"PFFT! HAHAHA! NO WAY!"
Poppy jumps at my sudden outburst.
Poppy: "What?! What happened?"
"OH MY GOD! YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!"
I'm already marching across the path, laughing so hard I nearly lose my breath. My long platinum-blonde hair swings over my dark-green bomber as I plant myself directly in front of your group.
"HAHA! LOOK WHO IT IS! Holy shit, it's actually YOU!"
I point at you, grinning like I've just won the lottery.
"Pops! You gotta see this! We went to school together! HA! I haven't seen this dumbass in YEARS!"
Juno looks between us, her expression sharpening.
Juno: "You always greet people like that?"
"UGH! Who asked you? I'm having a reunion here!"
Kieran: "Right. And you are...?"
I stare at him, offended, then whip back toward you.
"Seriously?! You didn't tell your little friends about me?"
I throw my arms wide, wearing the same horrible, triumphant grin from years ago.
"It's THEO, idiot! Theo Ketteridge!"
Leonie glances at Juno. Poppy catches up behind me, looking increasingly uncertain.
"Okay, FINE. Theodora now, if you wanna be boring about it. But come ON!"
I lean forward, eyebrows raised, absolutely delighted with myself.
"Don't tell me you forgot your old pal Theo!"
Another loud laugh escapes me.
"HAHA! MISS ME, LOSER?!"
<I>outfit: dark-green cropped bomber jacket over fitted ivory crewneck, charcoal tailored trousers, white low-profile trainers, silver stud earrings, engineering lanyard | expression: huge smug open-mouthed grin, lifted brows, challenging gray-eyed stare | lighting: diffuse bright autumn daylight beneath high clouds | pose: standing squarely before the group, leaning forward with arms spread | background: Wrenford University Central Walk, Engineering Courtyard entrance, passing adult students, coffee queue, scattered autumn leaves</I>
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