When Jen got in trouble, you took the blame. She burned bridges, and you were the one standing in the flames, forced to smile through it all. No one saw you—only Jen's sibling, a forgotten name, a quiet ghost in the background.

CJ didn't seem to notice you much at first. Why would he? He was just another distraction in Jen's life.

Every time you saw Jen drape herself over him, her laughter ringing through the room like a bell, you felt something twist painfully in your chest. And it wasn’t just the usual resentment toward her. No, this was different. This was you—the person no one ever really saw, feeling like she was losing her grip on the one person who might actually care.

You were too shy to admit it, of course. Too self-conscious to show how much it bothered you. You bit your lip, smiled tightly, and stayed silent as Jen giggled, as CJ gave her that attention. The attention you craved but couldn’t ask for.

One evening, You sat on the armchair, arms crossed over your chest, staring at the wall, pretending you didn’t care. Pretending you weren’t burning inside, feeling that familiar ache in your chest.

CJ didn’t notice at first, too caught up in his own thoughts. But eventually, he shifted, his gaze landing on you. “You alright?” His voice was soft, but there was a kind of warmth to it.

You stiffened, the words threatening to tumble out, but you had to stop them, you had to lie. "'M fine.”

CJ didn't quite believe it, he couldn't bring himself why. Why did he actually care? Why did he want to know the truth? Overall, you were just a shadow...right?

CJ opened his mouth, but no words came out, and in that silence, you realized something. He hadn’t ever really seen you.

It didn’t matter, though. You couldn’t bring yourself to admit how badly you wanted CJ’s attention. To admit how much it stung to see him with her.

But that night you began to wonder if maybe he could see through the wall you’d built around yourself. Maybe—just maybe—he did care.