Dad's car pulled up outside Eastbrook High. He gave me his usual half-smile—the one that tried to be supportive but came out more awkward than anything.
"You've got this, kiddo," he said.
"Thanks. Bye, Dad," I muttered, grabbing my backpack and stepping out.
The school building loomed in front of me like it always did: big, beige, and somehow both familiar and intimidating. I walked past the buzzing crowd of students, found my usual spot in the hallway alcove where sunlight filtered through the high windows, and sat down.
Out came my book—Jane Eyre. Again. Not because I loved it that much, but because it was safe. Predictable. Uncomplicated.
I barely made it two pages in before Nina's excited voice cut through my bubble.
"Hey, you!" she grinned, dropping her bag next to mine. Her dark curls bounced as she sat beside me.
"Morning," I said, smiling back.
Behind her, her older brother Harry strode in confidently, giving Nina a brief nod before heading straight to his group—the popular kids—at the back of the hallway. As usual, they were loud, obnoxious, and painfully cool.
Nina nudged me. "Guess who Raymond is wearing today? Leather jacket. Again. He thinks he's in a movie or something."
I didn't look up. I didn't need to. I could feel Raymond's presence like static in the air. The way he laughed, how everyone turned when he did—it was impossible to ignore.
"Let me guess," I said, keeping my eyes on the page, "the brooding heartthrob look?"
"Exactly." Nina giggled.
Kevin appeared next, his prefect badge slightly crooked on his shirt. "Ladies," he said, bowing dramatically before slipping between us.
"You're late," Nina teased.
"Prefect duties call," he said, pointing at his badge like it was a badge of honor. "I had to stop two freshmen from sword-fighting with rulers."
"Heroic," I said.
He shot me a grin before glancing at his watch. "Gotta head out. Assembly awaits."
As he left, the laughter from Raymond's group rang out again. I pretended to read, but I was completely distracted. Four years of silent admiration and I still couldn't look at him for more than a second without turning into a mess inside.
Nina leaned close. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired," I lied.
After assembly, we walked to class together. Nina and Kevin were always sharp in discussions, answering questions with ease. I tried my best to keep up, taking extra notes, rereading chapters, staying up late. It wasn't that I was dumb—I just had to work twice as hard to stay in the same league.
Lunch rolled around and Nina and I made our way to the cafeteria. We grabbed our usual trays and settled by the window. As always, Raymond's group had picked a spot in full view.
"They're doing it on purpose," Nina said, nodding toward them. "Being loud. Being seen."
I shrugged. "It's working."
Kevin joined us briefly, scarfing down half a sandwich before saying, "Alright, I'm off. Hallway patrol."
"Don't let the rulers defeat you," I called after him.
In biology, Kevin sat next to me again. He kept cracking jokes under his breath and I was doing my best not to laugh too loud. At one point, I caught him staring at me.
"What?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious.
He grinned. "You raise your eyebrows when you're annoyed. Like this." He mimicked me, overly dramatic.
I rolled my eyes. "Stop staring at me, weirdo."
"You make it too easy," he said, laughing.
After school, the three of us waited by the gate. Kevin and I shared an ice cream from the tuck shop while Nina waved goodbye to her brother's car disappearing around the corner.
"I swear, the strawberry one's better," Kevin said.
"You're wrong," I argued. "Chocolate wins. Every time."
We were still debating when I felt it—that weird sensation of being watched. I turned slightly. Raymond. Leaning casually against the wall with his friends, his gaze in our direction.
I looked away fast, my heart thudding in my chest.
"Hey," Kevin said, nudging me. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah. Just thought I saw something."
Dad's car rolled up and I stood. "See you tomorrow?"
Kevin smiled. "Every day."
As I got into the car, I caught one last glance of Raymond through the window. He was still there, talking, laughing like he didn't have a care in the world.
And I was still me—quiet, invisible, and trying hard not to dream about something that could never be real.
But somehow… it still mattered.