Mira didn't make it to class.
She barely made it to the stairs.
"Hey—wait."
A hand grabbed her wrist.
Mira froze.
She turned slowly to see three girls from another section, their expressions sharp with curiosity disguised as smiles.
"You look really familiar," one of them said, tilting her head. "Has anyone ever told you that?"
Mira swallowed. "I—I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, come on," another girl laughed softly, holding up her phone. The photo glowed between them. "You can't tell me this isn't you."
Students began to slow down. Watching. Whispering.
Mira's chest tightened. The hallway felt too narrow, too loud.
"I'm not her," she said, her voice barely steady. "Please… let me go."
"But why lie?" the first girl pressed. "If you're pretty, just admit it. Or is Section H embarrassed to have someone like you?"
That did it.
Mira pulled her hand free and ran.
She didn't know where she was going—only that she needed air. Her feet carried her up the stairs, past locked doors, until she burst onto the rooftop.
The wind hit her face, cold and sharp.
Her breath came out uneven. Tears blurred her vision before she could stop them.
"I didn't do anything wrong," she whispered, clutching her bag. "So why does it feel like I did?"
She slid down against the wall, hugging her knees.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Mira stiffened. "Please… just leave me alone."
"I wasn't planning to."
She looked up.
Lucas stood a few steps away, hands relaxed at his sides, eyes softer than she'd ever seen them.
"They shouldn't have cornered you," he said calmly. "I told them to back off."
Mira laughed weakly, wiping her tears. "Everyone's staring now. I tried so hard to stay invisible."
Lucas walked closer, stopping at a respectful distance.
"Being seen isn't a crime," he said. "And hiding doesn't mean you're weak."
Mira's hands trembled. "Then why does it hurt so much?"
Lucas didn't answer right away.
"Because," he said finally, "you've been fighting alone."
The words broke something in her.
Mira covered her face, shoulders shaking—not from fear this time, but from relief.
She wasn't alone anymore.