Mira never meant for anyone to find out.
It was supposed to be just a quiet afternoon—Section H dismissed early, the classroom half-empty, sunlight spilling through the windows. Mira stayed behind, as she often did, pulling out her small makeup pouch from the depths of her bag.
It was her secret.
Not the dramatic kind—just something she loved. Blending colors. Soft lines. Turning tired faces into something brighter. Something kinder.
She leaned toward the small mirror inside her pouch, carefully fixing the faint dark circles under her eyes.
"You're really good at that."
Mira jumped.
The mirror slipped from her hands and clattered onto the desk.
"I— I'm sorry!" she blurted out, spinning around.
Jade stood behind her, eyes wide—not mocking, not teasing. Just surprised.
"I didn't mean to scare you," Jade said quickly. Then she leaned closer. "Wait… did you just do that in, like, five minutes?"
Mira's face burned. "I—please don't tell anyone."
Jade blinked. "Tell anyone what? That you're talented?"
Before Mira could answer, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Lucas.
He paused at the doorway, gaze flicking from Jade to Mira—and then to the makeup pouch still open on the desk.
For the first time since she met him, Mira saw something change in his expression.
Not judgment.
Recognition.
"I didn't see anything," Lucas said calmly, turning away. "The room's empty."
Then he left.
Jade stared after him, then back at Mira. A slow smile spread across her face.
"You know," Jade said softly, "you're hiding way too much."
Mira looked down at her hands, trembling slightly.
She wasn't ready to be seen.
Not yet.
But somewhere deep inside, she felt it—
Her secret was already slipping into the light.