Chapter 12
Wednesday morning felt heavier than usual. Liana couldn't explain why, but a small knot of unease had settled in her chest as she walked into school. Aiden's warm presence over the past few days had given her courage, but it also made the whispers and stares from others feel sharper, louder. She had glimpsed Brianna lingering in the hall, smirking as if she knew some secret Liana hadn't discovered yet.
As Liana navigated through the crowded hallway, she couldn't help but remember the countless times in the past she had gone unnoticed—ignored, dismissed, invisible. Those memories pressed against her now, and she fought the familiar urge to shrink back.
A soft tap on her shoulder startled her. She turned to find Aiden, holding her usual smile but with a subtle concern in his eyes.
"Hey," he said gently. "You okay?"
"I… I'm fine," she replied, though the words sounded fragile even to her own ears.
He nodded, understanding without pressing further. "Good. Just… don't let the past hold you down. You've changed things already."
Liana blinked, a small warmth spreading in her chest. His faith in her had a way of lifting the weight she often carried alone. She nodded, grateful for his quiet support.
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By second period, she had settled into a routine of half-listening to lectures while occasionally stealing glances at Aiden. He was focused, writing notes meticulously, yet every now and then, his eyes would flicker toward her, just enough to remind her she wasn't invisible.
During lunch, she made her way to her usual corner table, tray in hand. As she settled, she felt the familiar presence beside her. Aiden had arrived with two bottles of juice and a small bag of snacks, just as he had done before.
"Thought we could share lunch today," he said, smiling softly.
Liana returned the smile, feeling the tension in her chest ease. "Thanks," she replied.
As they ate, Liana couldn't help but notice Brianna seated a few tables away, her eyes sharp and calculating. There was a sting of anxiety as Liana remembered all the times she had been overlooked, compared, and dismissed. But now, with Aiden beside her, the fear didn't feel as overpowering.
"Don't let her get to you," Aiden whispered, leaning slightly closer. "She's not worth it."
"I know," Liana said quietly. "It's just… old habits die hard."
He reached out, touching her hand briefly, a subtle gesture that sent warmth rushing through her. "You're stronger than you think," he said, his eyes holding hers. "And I see that strength."
The words sank in, carrying weight and reassurance. Liana realized that Aiden's presence wasn't just comforting—it was transformative. For the first time, she felt like someone truly believed in her, someone who saw her beyond the surface, beyond the whispers and shadows.
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The afternoon passed in a blur. Liana found herself more focused than usual in class, energized by the quiet strength Aiden gave her. Even when Brianna shot a sharp look from across the room, Liana refused to let it unnerve her. The old fear that had once made her flinch seemed smaller now, diminished by the growing confidence she carried with her.
After school, as they walked down the familiar path toward home, the sunlight glinted off the pavement in a golden haze. Aiden glanced at her, softening the lines of his usually composed face.
"Today was tough, wasn't it?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted. "But… better than it would have been without you."
He smiled, that quiet, steady smile that made her chest flutter. "I'm not going anywhere," he said. "We'll face it together."
Liana felt a swell of something deep and warm—a mixture of hope, relief, and a small, thrilling certainty. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel like she was carrying the weight of the world alone. Shadows of the past still lingered, but they no longer had the power to define her.
With Aiden by her side, she realized she could step forward, boldly, and maybe—even embrace the possibilities ahead.
The space between them wasn't just closing—it was becoming a place where she could finally belong.
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