The bell rang, and Mireille didn't move.
She stayed in her seat long after the classroom emptied, tracing a single line in her notebook over and over until the page threatened to rip. Outside the window, Halewood's sky hung low and pale like it hadn't decided if it wanted to rain or snow.
She was supposed to meet the others at lunch. She didn't want to. Not today.
Not after that girl
Earlier, during the first period, the new girl had sat two rows away head down, hoodie pulled tight, like she was trying to disappear and didn't quite know how.
When the teacher called her name , she answered with one word .
"Rue".
Soft, but clear. No last name . No interest in offering one.
And when Mireille looked over, Rue looked back. Not like everyone else did out of curiosity or judgement but with something else. Recognition.
Now, the hallway buzzed outside the door, lockers slamming , footsteps echoing. Mireille closed her notebook, ready to vanish into the crowd like she always did.
That's when she heard it.
A soft knock on the inside of the classroom door.
she turned.
Rue stood there. Backpack over one shoulder, sleeves covering her hands. Her eyes were cold, unreadable. She didn't come in. Just stood there, leaning slightly against the frame like she'd been waiting.
"You forgot this," Rue said, holding something out.
Mireille blinked. Her pen. She must have dropped it earlier.
She crossed the room slowly and reached for it, but Rue didn't let go right away
Their fingers touched barely but it was enough.
something in Mireille still. The unusual panic, the noise in her chest, paused.
" You always stay behind after class?" Rue asked quietly
Mireille hesitated."Only when it's easier than pretending."
Rue's mouth twitched like she might smile, but didn't
"same"
And just like that , she turned and walked away, blending into the noise of the hall, disappearing like fog.
Mireille stood frozen, her heart beating too loud in her ears , Rue's voice still echoing in the quiet.
For the first time in a long time , someone hadn't asked her what's wrong.
Rue had just … seen it .