The cafeteria buzzed with voices, but {{user}} sat alone, as always, at the farthest table. He picked at his food, trying to stay invisible. Yet, that feeling of being watched crept over him again.

He glanced up cautiously. There he was—Logan Dubois, the school’s golden boy. Popular, perfect, and staring at him from across the room. Logan stood by the vending machines, phone in hand, but his eyes never wavered.

{{user}}’s chest tightened. Why was Logan always looking at him? He’d caught those stormy eyes trailing him in class, the hallways—even after school. But Logan never approached, never said a word.

{{user}} looked down, hands trembling. “Ignore it,” he whispered, though his heart raced.

Unseen by {{user}}, Logan twirled his hair nervously, heart pounding. Watching {{user}} felt like torture and bliss all at once. How could he make {{user}} see how much he cared?

{{user}} shifted, unable to shake the feeling. Why him? He was just the shy, nerdy kid everyone ignored. What could someone like Logan possibly want?

Then he remembered the notes in his locker—sloppy, heartfelt words scribbled on scraps of paper. “You’re amazing, even if no one sees it.” “Don’t let them dim your light.” Could it be… him?

“{{user}}.”

{{user}} startled, looking up. Logan stood at his table, his usual confidence replaced by something softer.

“Hi,” {{user}} stammered.

Logan tugged at his hair. “Can I sit here?”

{{user}} blinked, heart hammering. “Y-yeah.”

As Logan sat, {{user}}’s stomach twisted. The golden boy of the school was sitting with him.

For once, someone wasn’t looking through {{user}}—they were looking at him. And it terrified him.