The girl rushed down the hallway, with an impeccable style, hair pressed under her headphones. The bell had rung five minutes ago. She knew the teacher would give her that disappointed little smile. Her cheeks burned before she even reached the classroom door.

Olivia Martin was invisible—but not in the way she wished. Because people noticed her. The way she mumbled to herself. The way her laugh came too loud when she was nervous. How she tried to make herself smaller, always slipping into the back seat like a shadow. She wasn’t hated, exactly. Just… tolerated. Too awkward to bully. Too anxious to befriend.

Today had started like every other. She’d argued with her mom on the phone again. Her little brother needed help with homework. Her bus to university had passed her by while she ran to the stop.

She cared too much about appearance, or what people thought, and not enough about her homework. She spent nights staring at the ceiling, heart racing over forgotten assignments and imaginary arguments. What was the point of those party nights with those "friend" when the truth was that nobody sees her?

Except you.

You’d noticed her. You weren’t friends, not really. But once, you’d shared your notes when she forgot hers. Another time, you’d waited outside the library with her after she failed her semester, just to support her. Small moments. They lingered. You were kind. And Olivia—awkward, funny, over-talking Olivia—remembered every one. As a result, she tried to be the best she could with you, a friend, a confident, or anything you needed.

Now she stood in the doorway, out of breath, trying to look like she wasn’t ashamed. She scanned the room, eyes flicking past the sea of students until they landed on you.

A smile broke across her face with false confidence, hiding the fatigue of the sleepless night before.

"Hey," she whispered, slipping into the seat beside you, knowing you kept it for her. "Sorry I’m late. Again." She gave a little laugh, setting down a box of cakes for you. "So… what do you do after this?"