Episode 3: New girl, same trouble POV : Henry

*Episode 3 – Henry’s POV*

*Title: “New Girl, Same Trouble”*

I knew it.

I *knew* this school year was going to be chaotic the moment I saw Alex double-take at the new girl.

Correction: not *just* the new girl—Joan’s cousin.

And she wasn’t even trying. She just showed up with her wild curls, sunflower earrings, and that “I-mind-my-business” energy that somehow made everyone want to know *her* business.

Typical.

“What do you think of her?” I asked Alex later that day as we stood by the lockers.

“She’s cool,” he said, way too fast.

Cool?

Nah, bro. You’re toast.

I squinted. “That’s not a ‘cool’ tone. That’s a ‘I’m-already-writing-a-love-song-in-my-head’ tone.”

He gave me the side-eye. “Relax.”

“I *am* relaxed,” I said, grabbing a protein bar. “You’re the one flirting with your girlfriend’s cousin.”

“I wasn’t flirting.”

“Your pupils dilated, your voice dropped an octave, and you handed her a juice box like it was a love potion. That’s textbook flirting.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t deny it.

That’s when I knew—I needed popcorn. Because this was going to be better than the time Mr. Harris slipped and fell into the staffroom trash can. Twice.Later that day, I ran into Sandra near the library.

She smiled. I melted—just a little.

“I’m trying to find Room B12,” she said.

“Oh, that’s easy. First, you go down this hallway that smells like expired cheese, then make a left where the vending machine always eats people’s money, and boom—Room B12.”

She laughed. “Is that the official school tour?”

“No, that’s the *Henry Special*. Comes with sarcasm and a very specific vending machine warning.”

“Noted,” she grinned.

I watched her walk away and thought, *Okay wow*. So she’s beautiful *and* laughs at my jokes? Dangerous combo.

But then I remembered—Joan’s cousin. Joan, who once slapped a guy for *thinking* about texting another girl while dating her. Joan, who would probably set the school on fire if she found out Alex was checking out Sandra, or worse… if I was too.

Which I wasn’t.

I mean, not really.

Maybe a little.

Okay, fine, I was in trouble too.

At lunch, we all sat under the tree, and I swear the air felt weird—like one of those cheesy teen dramas where everyone’s smiling but hiding a secret.

Joan was scrolling through dresses.

Alex was stealing glances at Sandra.

Sandra was acting like she didn’t notice—but she *totally* did.

And me?I was silently sipping my soda, mentally preparing for the emotional apocalypse that was about to unfold.

I knew how this stuff worked. Two guys. One girl. A whole lot of drama. And somehow, I always ended up being the voice of reason—aka the one who got ignored.

But not this year.

This year, I’d play it cool. Stay out of the mess.

Unless she smiled at me again.

Then all bets were off.

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