The school gate creaked open as I stepped in, backpack slung over one shoulder. It was just another regular day at Ridgeview High, yet the same strange weight sat in my chest. Students buzzed around the schoolyard, laughing, shouting, and forming their usual morning clusters. I kept my head low, weaving through the crowd like a shadow slipping unnoticed through sunlight.
"Zen!"
A voice called from behind, and before I could react, Jade slammed into me with a grin so wide, it could split his face in half.
"Dude! I swear, sometimes I think you teleport straight into class. You're like a ghost." He threw an arm around my shoulder.
I just shrugged, letting a tiny smile tug at my lips.
We strolled through the hall together. The school walls buzzed with teenage chaos, lockers clanged, sneakers squeaked against the linoleum floor, and the echo of random gossip filled the air. When we reached our class, Jade gave my shoulder a light punch.
"Try not to vanish in there, alright?"
I slipped into the room and walked straight to the last row, to my usual seat by the window. That one spot the sun always managed to find, like it was drawn to that little pocket of stillness. I sat down, pulling my hoodie tighter around me, and leaned back, my eyes drifting outside. The wind swayed the trees lazily, and I let my mind float.
The door creaked open again. A group of girls walked in, giggling and throwing glances around. One of them — Erika, I think — let out a sharp snort as she looked my way.
"There he is again," she whispered, just loud enough. "Always sitting like he's in some sad music video."
Another girl smirked. "I bet he thinks it makes him mysterious."
"Please," the third one chimed in. "He's probably just hiding from a shower. Same hoodie every day."
Jade, already at his desk, turned to glare at them. "Don't mind them," he muttered over his shoulder. "You know how they always are."
I didn't answer. I didn't need to. That sort of attention — it wasn't new.
The teacher finally entered, silencing the room with a sharp look. We all sat straighter. She began the day's lecture, her voice echoing through the classroom.
Time moved in pieces. I stared at my notebook, barely writing anything, mind wandering again.
Why am I like this?
Invisible. Quiet. Not particularly smart. Not good at sports. Just... existing.
But maybe that's how I like it. The quiet keeps me safe. The silence keeps questions away. Being alone means I don't owe anyone explanations.
The teacher scribbled a question on the board. Most heads dropped, pretending to read notes or avoid eye contact. Then, without hesitation, she called a name.
"Tasha?"
There was a soft scraping of chair legs as she stood.
I looked up.
The sunlight, as if summoned, filtered through the window and hit her just right. Her auburn hair shimmered slightly, fluttering with the gentle breeze coming from the half-cracked glass. The room fell oddly silent.
"It's the Battle of Hastings, Miss," she answered clearly.
Her voice was calm, confident. Not cocky — just sure of herself.
I watched her, not just because she was beautiful, but because she was everything I wasn't.
The teacher nodded in approval, then moved on. Tasha sat back down, and for a moment, I kept staring before catching myself.
Jade nudged me. "You good, bro?"
I didn't answer immediately. Just shifted my gaze back out the window.
In my head, words circled like smoke.
She's always been the best. Always glowing in ways people notice. Unlike me.
I'm just... here.
But it's fine. I've always liked it this way. It keeps things simple. Being alone helps me avoid trouble, and unwanted conversations. Peace has always been enough.
At least... that's what I tell myself.