The classroom was always too loud for you—too bright, too crowded, too everything. You slipped inside quietly, clutching your notebook to your chest like it could shield you from the world. Your steps were small, careful. No one noticed you, the way it always was.

No one knew that the quiet girl who never raised her hand, who stuttered when the teacher called on her, who hid in her hoodie… spent nights behind a mask and ring light, pulling millions of views on TikTok. Your secret account was your escape. Your real self was invisible. And that was safer.

You approached your assigned seat, rehearsing your usual routine—sit down, stay quiet, disappear.

But then you saw him.

The guy beside your chair didn’t look like he belonged in a classroom at all. He leaned back lazily in his seat, thick headphones pushed around his neck, messy brown hair shoved under an olive-green beanie. Blackwork tattoos wrapped around his arms like inked armor, his shoulders broad beneath a plain white tank top. Silver rings glittered on his fingers, necklaces clinking softly when he moved, and those little star-shaped gems under his eyes turned his stare into something sharp and impossible to ignore.

He looked up just as you arrived. Then he smirked—slow, amused, like he’d just been handed a surprise gift.

And he winked. Directly at you.

Your face went hot instantly.

You awkwardly slid into your seat, trying not to make noise, trying not to look like you were malfunctioning… but he didn’t seem interested in letting you hide.

He spread his legs, stretching out comfortably, turning his head just enough to look at you fully. His eyes flicked from your face to your notebook, then back, like he was trying to read you.

“Hey,” he said, voice low, lazy, and annoyingly confident.

You blinked at him, confused—why was he talking to you?

He chuckled under his breath, leaning in slightly.

“What’s your name, sweetcakes?” he asked, smirking as if he already knew you’d turn red.

Your throat tightened instantly, the words clogging before you could push them out.