A Love So Pure

The halls of Bookside High smelled like fresh paint, cheap floor wax, and panic. First day of the academic year. Lockers slammed, sneakers squeaked, and every freshman looked like they’d either throw up or start a fight.

Ashley Forbes wasn’t new. She’d been at Bookside since middle school, back when the building felt twice as big and her backpack swallowed her whole. But high school? Senior class? That hit was different.

She got there at 7:12 AM — twenty minutes before the first bell and slid into her usual seat in room 214. Second row, window side. The desk still had J.M. 2025 carved into it. She dropped her bag, pulled out a novel called 'The Summer of Jake and Sarah' written by 'Destiny' and tried to read.

Tried.

The words swam. Her heart was doing that stupid drumroll thing it did when she was too excited to sit still. Senior year. AP classes. Cheer tryouts in two weeks. It was all real now.

She shut the book after three pages. Fished out her iPhone 16, pushed her earbuds in, and let Billie Eilish drown out the hallway chaos.

By 7:40, the room filled. Backpacks hit floors. Chairs scraped. Someone’s cologne was fighting someone else’s body spray for dominance.

Then Mrs. Clarkson walked in — AP Bio, no-nonsense, hair in a bun sharp enough to cut glass.

“As you all know,” she started, not even bothering with good morning, “this is another academic year. Those who couldn’t perform well last year — this is your shot to try again.” She gestured to the new lab stations, the smart board, the gleaming microscopes Bookside’s donors had bragged about in last year’s assembly. “I know your attention’s been directed to the upgrades. I’m going to need it back.”

She turned, wrote AP Biology  on the board in block letters. The chalk squeaked.

“So let's start.” She said, “We have to know the definition of—”

The door opened.

A teacher Ashley didn’t recognize stepped in, a boy behind him. Tall. Dark hair, still damp from the rain outside. New shoes. The kind of face that made girls forget their locker combinations.

“Sorry for the disturbance,” the teacher said to Mrs. Clarkson.

“It’s fine. Go on.”

“Class,” the teacher said, “this is our new student, Roy Robinson. Do your best to make him feel welcome.” He clapped Roy on the shoulder. “Go have a seat.”

Roy smiled — quick, easy, like he’d practiced it — and scanned the room. His eyes landed on the empty desk before Ashley. He walked over, dropped his bag, and sat. She could smell his jacket. Rain and something expensive.

Mrs. Clarkson didn’t miss a beat. “So, Roy. Tell us a little bit about yourself.”

He stood, without hesitation. "Uh, my name's Roy Robinson. My dad's Noah Robinson. My mom passed away a few years ago." He said it plainly, as though he'd repeated those words countless times. "I'm from San Francisco. We just moved here. I hope to make some friends.” Another smile. Then he sat.

“That’s nice,” Mrs. Clarkson said. “"Everyone, do your best to make him feel welcome. ”Now. Back to our lesson. Who can give me the definition of a cell?”

Ashley’s hand shot up. So did Roy’s.

Mrs. Clarkson’s eyebrow lifted. “Okay, Roy. Let’s hear from you.”

He didn’t even blink. “A cell is a structural unit of a living organism.”

"Nicely stated." Mrs. Clarkson smiled slightly.

Then said and continued the lesson.

"Now, who can tell me the function of the cell membrane?"

Roy's hand went up again.

Looks like Ashley isn't the only student eager to answer questions this year.” Mrs Clarkson said.

"The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell while protecting its contents."

"Very good," Mrs. Clarkson said. A few students glanced back at him.

“Great. Looks like someone came prepared,” Ahsley whispered to herself

Mrs Clarkson picked up a marker and wrote another question on the board.

"What organ is known as the powerhouse of the cell?"

This time, Ashley and Roy raised their hands at the same time.

“Okay, you?” Mrs. Clarkson said pointing at Ashley

"The mitochondrion," Ashley answered confidently. "It produces ATP through cellular respiration."

"Excellent." Mrs. Clarkson smiled. "Roy, anything you'd like to add?"

Roy nodded. "It's especially important because ATP is the main source of energy for the cell."

Mrs. Clarkson looked between the two of them before smiling. "Very impressive. Ashley, it looks like you've finally met someone who can keep up with you.”

A few students chuckled.

Ashley felt her cheeks heat. She shrugged, rolled her eyes, and stared at her notebook. Keep up with me. Oh please.

Roy turned to the guy beside him — Rex Donald, varsity jacket, easy grin. “Sorry to bother you, but… who’s this Ashley?”

Rex didn’t even lower his voice. “She's the smartest kid here.”

Roy made a face. Half mocking, half curious. "So... where is she?”

“She just answered a question too.” Rex said and jerked his chin toward her. “That’s her.”

Roy followed his gaze. Their eyes met for half a second. Ashley saw it — the flicker of surprise. Then he offered her a small smile.

She gave him her best are you kidding me glare and turned back to the front.

After class, Roy was at his locker, shoving his bio textbook in, when someone said his name.

“Roy.”

He turned. Rex.

“What’s up?” Roy asked.

“Nothing much. Sorry for not introducing myself during class. I’m Rex Donald.”

“That’s nice. I’m Roy, you already know that and it’s kind of awkward.”

Rex laughed. “I think everybody in class knows that.”

Roy made a face. “Ugh.”

“So, uh, you got anything you’re doing after now? Or anywhere you’re going?”

“Not really. Why?”

“I was thinking you would—”

A hand grabbed Rex’s shoulder. Daniella. Blonde, cheer uniform, lip gloss that probably cost more than Roy’s lunch. She didn’t say hi. She just kissed Rex like the hallway was empty.

Roy blinked. “Oh my God,” he muttered.

Daniella pulled back, smiling, and looked Roy up and down. “Who’s this?”

"Meet Roy. My best friend of...what, fifteen minutes? Rex said and looked at Roy, who made a face. “Roy, this is Daniella. My girlfriend.”

Daniella stuck out her hand. “Nice meeting you.”

Roy shook it. "Nice to meet you too.”

“Are you new?”

Rex yanked Roy’s hand away from Daniella’s, laughing. Roy laughed too, because what else do you do? “Yeah, he’s the new guy. Joined today.”

“Welcome to Bookside High,” Daniella said.

“Thanks.”

Roy glanced past them. Ashley was standing three lockers down, carefully arranging her books. She hadn't looked his way once since class. For some reason, that caught his attention more than if she had been staring at him.

Daniella waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey. Are you still with us?"

Roy blinked and looked back at them. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

Before she could answer, his eyes drifted toward Ashley again. She slung her backpack over one shoulder without glancing in his direction.. Daniella followed his eyes.

"Looking at Ashley already?” Daniella said, voice flat. “Wanna join her?”

Roy snapped his head back. "Huh?" Roy blinked. "Sorry... what were you saying

Rex jumped in. “I was saying if you wanted to join us at cheer practice.”

Roy’s eyebrows shot up. “You cheer?”

Daniella cut in, laughing. “No, that’s me.”

Rex grinned. “Seriously bro? You thought I was the one cheering?”

“For half a second… yeah.”

Daniella laughed. “Common, that’s awkward. My baby just comes to watch me practice.” She touched Rex’s chin, fingers lingering.

Roy watched the way Daniella slipped her hand into Rex’s. He looked away before he could think too much about why it bothered him.

“So what do you say?” Daniella asked. “Are you coming?”

Roy opened his mouth. “Uh, I’m—”

“You’re coming,” Rex said, already walking, Daniella on his arm.

“That wasn’t what I was—” Roy started, but they were gone. “—going to say. Ugh.”

He sighed and followed after them.

Before turning the corner, he glanced back one last time.

Ashley picked a textbook from her lockerand looked up just in time to catch him looking.

Their eyes met for only a second.

She raised an eyebrow, shut her locker, and walked away without a word.

Roy smiled to himself. "Interesting," he murmured before hurrying after Rex and Daniella.