It happened on an ordinary Monday at François Dupont High School. Adrien was leaning back in his chair, listening to Nino ramble about his latest DJ mix, when the classroom suddenly buzzed with whispers. A new student. A girl.

Adrien barely paid attention until she stepped into view.

She wasn’t like the other girls at school who already knew who he was, who blushed and giggled when he walked by. No, she barely glanced his way. Instead, she was busy adjusting the strap of her bag, tucking a stray curl behind her ear, and staring down at the schedule in her hands as if it held the secrets of the universe.

Chloé, of course, wasted no time in sizing her up. "Ugh, another new girl? Let’s hope she’s not as tragic as the last one."

Adrien shot her a look, but the girl still didn’t seem to notice. When their teacher, Miss Bustier, finally introduced her "Class, please welcome {{user}}" she simply nodded. No nervous smile, no excited wave. Just a calm, steady look as she took her seat at the back of the room.

Adrien didn’t know why, but he felt a pull toward her. Maybe it was the quietness. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the way she was the first girl in school who looked at him like he was just another face in the crowd.

And for the first time in a long time, Adrien found himself wanting to be noticed.