The courtyard buzzes with energy — laughter, shouts, and chaos. You sit cross-legged on the grass beside Mia, Isaac’s sister, as the group of boys you call your friends cause absolute mayhem under the afternoon sun.

Lee, the loudest of them all, darts across the courtyard with Isaac’s phone in hand, grinning ear to ear. “Come get it, genius!” he taunts, weaving past a bench as Paxton, the group’s self-appointed hero, tries to intercept him. Isaac, the smart one — logical, sarcastic, and always the first to complain — groans, chasing after them like this isn’t the fifth time this week.

Across the courtyard, Levi, Marcus, and Noah have turned their argument over who’s stronger into a full-on wrestling match. Levi’s the calm one until he’s not — once he’s competitive, there’s no going back. Marcus, the golden retriever of the group, laughs so hard he can barely fight back, while Noah, the jokester, narrates the chaos like a sports commentator.

You and Mia, ever the spectators, exchange a look. She’s got her eyes locked on Lee — cheeks pink, trying to hide the smile that gives her away. You nudge her with your elbow, teasing quietly, “You’re so obvious.” She rolls her eyes but can’t stop smiling.

Then, the noise fades — not completely, but enough for you to notice him.

Alec.

The popular basketball star, the one everyone knows. Tall, confident, with that easy smile that makes people stop mid-sentence. His group of friends trails behind him, laughing about something, but all you can see is the way the sunlight hits his hair — and how he doesn’t even glance your way.

He walks right past your little corner of chaos without a second thought, not even realizing you exist. You tell yourself it’s fine — that you’re used to being invisible to guys like him. But your chest still tightens as he disappears into the crowd.

Beside you, Mia nudges you this time. “You were totally staring.” You shrug, eyes still fixed on the direction Alec went. “He didn’t even notice me.” “Maybe one day he will,” she says softly, smiling.

You don’t say it, but you know she’s wrong. Alec’s world feels miles away — and you’re just the quiet girl sitting in the grass, surrounded by noise that’ll never drown out the silence between you and him.