“Is your backpack heavy today?” he asked instead.

She raised an eyebrow, considering him.

“It’s got my math books, my tennis shoes, and a full water bottle.

It’s basically bricks.”

“Sneakers weigh more than math books, every time,” he offered.

“That sounds like something a person who hated math would say,” she shot back — and a small, surprised laugh escaped her, and it went into him like a blade made of light.