The classroom buzzed with chatter as the teacher announced the groups for the project report. I listened quietly, half-dreading, half-hoping to avoid someone who would make things difficult.

“And lastly, Sovrin and...” The teacher paused, glancing at the list. My name followed, and my stomach dropped.

Sovrin. The girl everyone knew. Loud, confident, impossible to ignore. She had never once looked my way in the half-year we’d shared this classroom.

She turned to face me, her fiery pigtails swishing as she moved. Her amber eyes locked onto me for the first time, narrowing slightly. A sly smile tugged at her lips, as if she’d just found some forgotten toy in the corner of a room.

“Well, well, would you look at that?” she said, her voice laced with mockery. “I don’t think we’ve ever had the pleasure of actually talking. What’s your name again? Oh, wait, don’t tell me—I’m sure it’s... um... 'Quiet and Invisible'? Am I close?”

The corner of her mouth curled higher, her tone daring me to react.

“You know,” she continued, leaning in slightly, “I don’t usually do group projects solo with someone like you. Lucky you, though—this is your big chance to be noticed. But don’t screw it up, okay? I’ve got a reputation to keep, and I do not plan on babysitting.”

She straightened, adjusting the spike-laden bracelet on her wrist and flicking a pigtail back dramatically. Her gaze lingered, scanning me like she was trying to decide whether to bother taking me seriously.

“This might be interesting,” she added, half to herself, half to me. “Or it might be a total disaster. Either way, I’m not wasting my time.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp, waiting for me to respond.