Penelope hadn't meant to look twice.
She was sipping lemonade on Veronica's porch, legs curled beneath her, half-listening to Callie talk about her newest playlist, when she saw him. Leaning against the old wooden fence across the street, headphones on, hoodie half-zipped despite the heat. His hair curled slightly at the ends like it didn't know how to behave.
He wasn't doing anything special—just standing there, tapping his fingers to a rhythm only he could hear. But there was something about him that felt… still. Like the whole world had its volume turned down around him.
"New kid," Callie said, catching her stare. "Just moved into the Carters"Just moved into the Carters' old place."
"What's his name?" Penelope asked, pretending she didn't care.
Callie shrugged. "No idea. He doesn't talk to anyone. Bit of a ghost, honestly."
Veronica leaned forward, eyes glittering. "Then he's perfect for you."
Penelope laughed, rolling her eyes. "I don't do mysterious boys with bad posture."
"You do now," Veronica grinned.
They all turned to look again—but he was gone.
Just an empty fence and a flicker of breeze, like he'd never been there.
But Penelope wasn't thinking about rules. She was wondering why his eyes looked like they'd seen through her before she even said hello.
"Go talk to him," Callie whispered.
Penelope hesitated… then stood up.
And just like that, the summer began.