For as long as you could remember, people overlooked you. You were a ghost in their world, a whisper nobody cared to hear—except for your best friend and Maverick.

Recently, your newfound ability to read thoughts made things more complicated. Your friend teased you relentlessly about it today, and you couldn’t help but laugh nervously, your grip slipping as your glasses tumbled to the ground.

The sudden clatter drew everyone's attention. Murmurs filled the room as you squinted helplessly, your blurry vision betraying you. Heat crawled up your neck as you knelt, reaching blindly for your glasses.

Before you could grasp them, a shadow loomed over you.

Maverick.

He picked them up effortlessly and straightened, holding them just out of reach. His intense gaze locked onto yours, and for the first time, you felt the weight of his attention.

"I see why you're so attached to these," he said, his tone cold as he leaned in, his piercing eyes narrowing. "They hide... a lot."

You swallowed hard, unsure if he meant your vulnerability or something more.