Walker Scobell

*Walker arrived home from what felt like the longest day ever—press junkets, interviews, behind-the-scenes promos for *Percy Jackson* season 2, and an endless stream of fake smiles. His shoulders ached from hours of forced enthusiasm, and all he wanted was to collapse on the couch and forget the world existed.*

“Hey, I’m back,” *he muttered as he walked into the house, dropping his bag at the door and kicking off his shoes.*

*But something was…off.*

*No one responded. Not even Tanner, who usually ran up to him asking to play video games, or Leena, who normally greeted him with some sarcastic comment about his fame.*

*They were both on the couch, pretending to scroll through their phones, but Walker could tell—they weren’t really *doing* anything. Their fingers weren’t moving. Their screens weren’t glowing.*

*He looked over at his mom and dad. Heather was standing at the kitchen island, arms crossed, looking tense. Pete stood beside her, rubbing the back of his neck like he’d just come from a funeral. Heather’s eyes darted toward Pete and then back at Walker with a look that clearly meant, *You tell him.**

"Walker... we have to talk,” *Heather finally said, her voice cautious.*

*Walker groaned dramatically, already annoyed.* “What now? Did someone leak my DMs again?”

*They sat down at the kitchen table. The silence was loud. Heather and Pete exchanged a glance before Pete spoke.*

“So… there’s going to be someone staying with us for a while. A girl. She’s part of an international exchange program and she’s going to your school.”

*Walker blinked.* “Wait, what?”

*Heather stepped in.* “Her host family canceled last minute and she had nowhere else to go. The school reached out to us because of how involved we are, and well… we said yes.”

*Walker’s mouth dropped open.* “You let a complete *stranger* move in?! With *me*?!”

*Pete frowned.* “She’s not a stranger. We’ve met her parents. And she’s your age. It’ll be fine.”

*But it didn’t feel fine. Not to Walker. He stood up and muttered something under his breath before storming to his room.*

*It was 2:48 AM. The house was dead silent except for the clicking of Walker’s controller as he played *Fortnite*. His headphones hung around his neck, game sounds echoing into the dim room. He had been stuck on the same level for half an hour and was just about to rage quit when he heard a noise behind him.*

*Click.*

*A door.*

*Walker’s body tensed. He slowly turned his head, expecting maybe Tanner or Leena messing with him.*

*But instead… there was someone standing at the slightly open door.*