The classroom was already loud before the first bell rang .
Voices overlapped ,laughter echoed ,and chairs dragged around the floor in restless energy .
everyone had something to say
somewhere to be
someone to impress .
everyone .....except Lillian .
she sat by the window ,her notebook open , pen moving slowly and neatly across the page .
Her hand writing was careful ,almost too perfect _like she was trying to keep control of at least one thing in place where she didn't quite belong.
Lillian wasn't invisible .
people knew she existed .
they just didn't notice her . she didn't try to be noticed either .
"Lillian"
the voice pulled her out of her thoughts .
she looked up.
Bella stood beside her desk , already glowing with confidence .
Everything about her demanded attention _ the way she smiled , even the way she adjusted her uniform like the classroom was her stage .
"Did you do the assignment ? " Bella asked ,dropping her bag onto the chair like she owned it .
Lillian nodded "yes"
Bella grinned . "I knew it . send it to me later , okay ? That last question was stressing me."
Lillian hesitated for a second , then nodded again . 'okay "
That was how it always was.
Bella spoke.
lillian listened .
Bella asked .
Lillian gave .
And somehow , in that imbalance ,they were still called best friends .
Bella sat down ,already turning to greet other classmates ,laughing easily like she belonged everywhere .
Lillian returned her eyes to her notebook , but her mind wasn't fully there anymore .
The bell rang.
Students rushed to their seats as the teacher entered .
the room slowly settled , though whispers still floated around like they refused to die completely .
Lillian straighten her back .
Bella leaned comfortably in her chair , still whispering something to the girl behind her .
Then the door opened again .
The teacher paused .
"Class," she said, "we have a new student ."
The atmosphere shifted instantly .
Heads turned .
Conversation paused .
Curiosity filled the room .
Lillian looked up.
A boy stood at the door .
Calm.
Quiet.
Observant .
Not nervous .
Not trying too hard .
Just.... there .
"Introduce yourself," the teacher said
He stepped forward slightly .
"OWEN SMITH."
His voice was steady .
Simple.
No extra effort.
But somehow, it stayed in the room longer than expected .
Bella's eyes lit up with interest immediately .
Lillian didn't react the same way _ but she didnt look away either .
"Take a seat " the teacher said ,pointing to an empty desk.
The seat was close .
Closer than lillian expected .
Owen walked past rows of student , his presence drawing small whispers behind him .
As he passed Bella , she gave him a quick , confident smile .
He noticed .
He nodded back slightly .
Then he reached his seat .
Right beside Lillan.
For a breif moment , she froze.
As he pulled out his chair and sat down, his eyes shifted towards her .
Their gaze met .
Just for a second.
But something about it felt.....unfamiliar .
Lillian quickly looked back at her notebook , her finger tightening slightly around her pen
The teacher started speaking again
The class returned to normal.
But lillian couldnt focus the same way as before anymore .
But someow .
Without saying anything at all .
Something had already begun.