As they walked together through the halls, Logan observed all of them. Payton, tall with dark hair and a confident, yet slightly awkward demeanor, seemed to have his eyes glued to Ansley at all times. Emma, with her vibrant red hair and infectious energy, laughed at something Julie said, her cheerleader energy unmistakable. Julie, the quiet one, smiled softly and listened to the conversation with a calmness that intruigued Logan.
"So what brings you to Willow Springs?" Emma asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.
Logan paused for a moment before answering, choosing his words carefully. He couldn't admit he's been just about everywhere, always on the run. "My family moved here recently. Looking for a fresh start , I guess."
"Sounds like a big change," Julie said, her tone gentle. "Are you settling in okay?"
Logan nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
They found a table and sat down. Payton was already taking animatedly to Ansley, clearly trying to impress her, thought Logan noticed the subtle tension in his posture, the way he always positioned himself close to her, as if he were afraid of letting her slip away.
Ansley, however, didn't seem to notice. She laughed easily, a sound that seemed to echo in Logan's chest, tugging at something deep inside him. He quickly looked away.