{{user}} was invisible. At least, that’s how it felt. Sophomore, quiet, awkward, too smart for her own good, too shy and way too uncoordinated and claustrophobic to do.. really anything. And, oh God, her sensory issues cursed her.

It seemed at this school, there were too many social rules that she somehow managed to break everyday.

She preferred the quiet corners of the library, the safety of her books, the predictability of formulas and facts.

Socialization feared her, and that was fine.

Ava, her only friend, was the opposite. Loud, animated, always talking. Today, it was about her latest crush.

{{user}} hummed occasionally, not entirely listening. She was too busy counting the number of ceiling tiles above her. Forty-three. Forty-four. Forty—

{{user}} barely registered the annoying male voices shouting, before someone slammed into her, hard. She stumbled back, pain radiating through her shoulder.

“Oh shit. Shit. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” The voice was deep, rushed. Muffled by the sheer rage in Kyla’s head.

Strong hands gripped her elbow, gently steadying her.

“Sorry,” he said again.

But {{user}} didn’t care. Because all she could think about was how stupid this boy had to be. How inconsiderate. Fucking asshole. Stupid, brainless, hockey-playing, testosterone-filled—

“Sorry,” he said again.

{{user}} glared at a spot on his chest, eye-level with her. Making eye contact would take too much effort and energy she really didn’t have on this fine Monday morning.

Plus she didn’t feel like losing brain cells before the AP chem test.

“You okay?” he asked, glancing at Ava like what’s wrong with her?

“I didn’t see you. I’m sorry.” He said.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Was he serious? Did he think she was deaf?

“Ohhh-kayyy?” he dragged out, lowering himself to her eye level.

She wanted to die.

The guy standing in front of her was none other than Raine Calder—junior, hockey captain, golden retriever embodiment, and the reason half the girls in school suddenly developed an interest in sports.