Chapter 8
The weekend couldn't come soon enough. Liana spent the entire week at school with her thoughts constantly drifting to Aiden's invitation. Each glance he gave her, each word he spoke, replayed endlessly in her mind. For once, school didn't feel like a place to hide. It felt like the beginning of something new.
Friday arrived in a blur of classes, books, and whispered conversations. By the time the final bell rang, Liana felt a strange mixture of excitement and nervousness. Today wasn't just another day—it was the day she would step into Aiden's world, even if only briefly.
As she walked home, the familiar streets seemed brighter, almost vibrating with anticipation. Her mind raced with questions: What would his house be like? Would his parents be there? What if something went wrong? What if she embarrassed herself?
By the time she reached his street, her heartbeat was practically audible. Aiden was waiting, leaning casually against the low brick wall in front of his house, exactly as she had imagined, except better. His dark hair caught the late afternoon sunlight, and his gray eyes held a warmth that made her feel instantly at ease.
"Hey," he said softly, his smile genuine but reserved, as though he, too, felt the nervous tension in the air.
"Hi," she replied, her hands gripping her bag strap tightly.
"You ready?" he asked.
She nodded. "I think so."
He led the way inside. His house was cozy, filled with soft lighting and comfortable furniture. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and small personal touches made it feel lived-in but inviting. It was the kind of place where Liana could imagine spending hours without noticing time passing.
"Make yourself comfortable," Aiden said, gesturing toward the sofa. "I'll grab some snacks."
She sat down carefully, her eyes scanning the room, but her attention kept drifting back to him. He returned quickly with a small bowl of popcorn and two bottles of juice.
As they settled in, the room felt quiet in a way that was almost magical. Not the awkward silence she feared, but a calm, comforting stillness.
"So…" Aiden began, leaning back, "this is kind of our first secret. Just you and me, no one else around."
Liana's chest fluttered. A secret. Something shared only between them. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time.
"Yeah," she whispered, unsure what else to say.
He smiled softly, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. "I'm glad you came."
"Me too," she admitted.
They started talking about school, about books, about music—small things that revealed pieces of themselves neither had shared with anyone else. Every story, every laugh, every quiet moment drew them closer, like invisible threads connecting them in ways neither fully understood.
At one point, Aiden reached over and nudged a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Liana's heart jumped at the unexpected touch, her cheeks heating.
"You're… different when you're relaxed," he said quietly. "You seem… real."
Liana wanted to protest, to say she was always real, but she didn't. Somehow, with him, she didn't need to.
The evening stretched on, soft and gentle. The outside world disappeared. Brianna's stares, the chaos of school, and the weight of being invisible seemed far away.
By the time Liana stood to leave, the sky outside was painted with streaks of orange and pink. Aiden walked her to the door, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, he said, "See you tomorrow, Liana. And… thanks for trusting me."
"See you tomorrow," she whispered, heart racing.
As she walked home, clutching her bag, she realized that tonight had changed something. It wasn't just the hangout, or the jokes, or even the quiet moments. It was the understanding that someone truly saw her—and that she mattered in his world, just as much as he mattered in hers.
And for the first time in a long time, Liana didn't feel invisible at all.
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