Lily and Riley both got ready for school. Lily wore a white gown paired with spotless white sneakers, her hair perfectly brushed and glowing like always.
Riley, on the other hand, threw on baggy jean shorts, an oversized shirt, and her favorite black Converse.
They hurried downstairs for breakfast, the familiar tension already thick in the air.
Their mother, Emily, looked up from her phone. Her eyes immediately lit up when she saw Lily.
But when she looked at Riley… her expression dropped.
"Riley, what on earth are you wearing?" Emily asked, frowning.
"Clothes," Riley replied flatly, sitting down and digging into her food.
"No, it's not," her mother snapped. "Look at your sister. This is what a girl should look like. But you? You just want to turn yourself into a boy."
"It's my life, not yours," Riley muttered, rolling her eyes and taking another bite.
"You...!"
"Mom, please," Lily cut in softly, her voice calm and sweet. "It's too early for this."
Emily instantly softened. "Okay, honey. But you! " she pointed at Riley, "go upstairs and change into something more… appropriate."
Riley stood up. "I'm off to school."
"hey!"
"Adiós!" Riley shouted, grabbing her bag and walking out the door before her mom could say another word.
Outside, Riley let out a deep sigh. Her life always felt like this, misunderstood, invisible, second-best.
She had no real friends. Whenever she started getting close to someone, Lily would show up sweet, perfect, charming Lily and they'd all drift toward her, like moths to a flame.
She wasn't angry. Not really.
If anything, she was glad Lily had friends. Lily was her sister her only real friend and Riley would do anything to protect her. Even if it meant fading into the background.
Riley walked to school with her head down, that familiar weight pressing on her chest.
She was so lost in thought she didn't even notice someone in her way until she walked straight into them.
She hit something solid and fell back, landing hard on her butt.
"Ow," she groaned, wincing.
"Why are people getting so blind these days?" a voice said above her.
Riley looked up, ready to snap back until her breath caught.
Standing over her was a boy. Not just any boy.
The most gorgeous boy she'd ever seen.
He had gray eyes and messy red hair, sharp cheekbones, and a smirk that screamed trouble. Everything about him was exactly the type of "bad boy" Riley secretly found attractive.
"I know I'm handsome," he said, smirking down at her. "But try not to stare too hard."
Riley's admiration died the second he opened his mouth. She scrambled to her feet, brushing off her shorts.
"You wish," she muttered, rolling her eyes as she stormed past him.
"Too much pride for his face," she grumbled under her breath as she walked away.
She didn't even know his name, but one thing was clear...
She hoped she wouldn't see him again.
---
At school, Riley walked to her locker, feeling the usual stares, snickers and whispers follow her.
They always do this. Don't they get tired? How I dress is none of their business, she thought bitterly as she opened her locker.
A tap on her shoulder made her jump. She turned to see one of Lily's friends.
"Um, do you need something?" Riley asked, uncomfortable.
"No, not really. I'm having a party at my place, so I'm inviting you," the girl Mia said with a bright smile.
Riley blinked. "Me?" she asked, pointing at herself.
Mia nodded, still smiling. She was one of the popular girls Lily's closest friend, actually. She usually teased Riley's fashion sense, but she'd never even spoken to her before.
Riley tried to hide her suspicion. Why now?
Riley was still trying to process everything when down the hallway when a wave of whispers broke out.
Lily had arrived.
She walked in surrounded by her friends, all giggling and glowing. Her presence alone shifted the atmosphere.
"Yeah, you,it won't make any sense if I don't invite you since your sister is coming" Mia said quickly. "Make sure you come! Oh! Lily's here. See you at the party!"
Mia immediately ran off, her voice high and excited as she joined Lily's group like Riley had never existed.
Riley scoffed.
"Inviting me to a party out of nowhere? I'm not that stupid," she muttered, heading to class.
---
English class had just started when the door opened and someone walked in.
"Sorry I'm late. An accident came up."
Riley looked up from her book and froze.
It was him. The red-haired boy from earlier.
What the hell is he doing here?
The teacher sighed. "It's your first day and you're already late? Because of an accident?"
"Yeah…" the boy said casually.
"Fine. Introduce yourself, then find a seat."
"My name's Liam Frost," he said with a grin. "Nothing else to say. Have a good day."
The girls giggled staring at him, while Riley made a weird face at him.
"Go find a seat," the teacher said.
Liam scanned the room, then spotted Riley. "Found one," he said, smirking.
Lily was staring at Liam starstrucked when Mia elbowed her.
"hey don't stare too much, you look like you are already in love" Mia whispered. " he's giving total bad boy energy. Hot" she said giggling.
"shut up" Lily's said her eyes still locked onto him.
Her heart skipped. He was definitely her type.
She barely noticed Mia still talking beside her. Her eyes remained glued to him until...
He walked straight to Riley desk...
Riley tensed as he sat beside her.
"We meet again, Blindy," he said with a grin.
"Don't call me that," Riley muttered, glaring.
"Well, what should I call you, then?" he teased, tilting his head.
"Look, we're having class. You're distracting me. So shut your mouth and let me be." Riley said glaring at him
Liam chuckled softly, amused. "Feisty," he whispered, then leaned back in his seat.
Across the room, Mia elbowed Lily. "Hey, I didn't know your sister and the new guy knew each other."
"Did you?" she asked when Lily didn't respond.
"Hey, Lily.. " Mia stopped mid-sentence. "Oh… crap."
Lily was staring at Riley, her eyes filled with rage and jealousy. She gripped her pencil so tightly it almost snapped.
"Why does she always do this?" she muttered.
Mia blinked. "Lily…?"
"I'm not letting her win this time."