Another day, another misery.
I stood in front of Mystic Heights Academy—a school so rich, even the gates looked like they had better grades than me.
The building sparkled.
The fountain sparkled.
Even the air felt expensive.
I squinted. "Yeah… this place definitely judges people."
I adjusted my glasses.
They slid down immediately.
"…Of course you would."
I pushed them back up and walked in.
Invisible mode: activated.
No one noticed me. Good.
I slipped to my locker, already preparing for emotional damage.
And there it was.
A paper.
"Taped with love," I muttered, ripping it off.
Ugly Snort.
I stared at it.
"…At least be creative."
Trash.
Gone.
I opened my locker—
Peace.
Plushies. My tiny army. My emotional support system.
"My people," I whispered.
Then I saw my BUS sticker.
I froze.
Looked around.
No one watching.
Good.
I leaned closer and whispered-sang—
"It's just a lie, oh liar—"
My voice cracked so badly I scared myself.
I coughed.
"Nope. Not today."
Sticker? Back inside.
Dignity? Missing.
Locker closed.
Classroom.
Chaos.
As always.
Mean girls whispering like they're planning world domination. Athletes throwing paper like it's the Olympics. Goth kids staring into nothing like they own darkness.
And then—
Them.
The "Bad and Popular Rich Boys."
Yes, that's their official title. In my head.
They walked in like they owned oxygen.
And somehow—
All of them looked at me.
At the same time.
I froze.
Eye contact.
Jake — annoyed. Like I personally offended him by breathing.
Liam — amused. Like he just found entertainment.
Mark — calm… a little warm? Like he was observing, not judging.
Ethan — cold. Sharp. Like I didn't exist but still got noticed anyway.
I blinked.
Then immediately looked away.
Abort mission.
Abort everything.
Behind me—
Liam's voice, low and teasing.
"Who's that?"
Jake didn't even hesitate. "No one."
I clenched my fist.
Rude.
Liam chuckled. "You sure? She looks… interesting."
Jake scoffed. "She's my sister."
Silence.
Then—
"Oh?" Liam said, now fully entertained.
Mark adjusted his glasses slightly, still watching me. "Didn't know you had a sister."
Jake sounded annoyed. "I don't talk about her."
Wow.
Okay.
I felt that.
Ethan finally spoke, voice calm, distant—
"Doesn't matter."
And just like that—
they walked past me.
Like I wasn't worth more than three seconds.
Good.
Perfect.
Exactly what I wanted.
I slid into my seat.
Heart? Acting weird.
Ignore.
Class hadn't started yet, so of course—
my brain started doing introductions.
Because if I don't narrate my life, who will?
Let me introduce you to the chaos:
Mark — the brain.
Perfect hair, perfect grades, perfect "leave me alone" energy.
Girls beg him for tutoring. He looks like he regrets being smart.
Liam — the problem.
Blond, smiling, dangerous.
That kind of smile that says I will ruin your life and laugh about it.
Ethan — the ice king.
Quiet. Hands always in pockets.
Looks at people like they're homework he doesn't want to do.
And then—
Jake.
My brother.
The fighter. The loud one. The "I win everything because I said so" type.
Honestly? I don't even know how he ended up with them.
Different species.
Same chaos.
I was minding my business—
Then I felt it again.
That stare.
Jake.
Of course.
He looked at me like I embarrassed him just by existing.
I frowned.
"What?" I mouthed silently.
He mouthed back—
"Goat."
I blinked.
Excuse me??
I narrowed my eyes.
I am cuter than you.
I didn't say it.
But I meant it.
Deeply.
He scoffed and looked away like I wasn't important.
I leaned back in my chair, sighing.
Honestly?
I don't get it.
How is he the "cool one"?
Meanwhile I'm here—minding my business, saving the planet with my eco bag, and getting compared to farm animals.
Life is unfair.
I pushed my glasses up again.
They slid.
"Wow," I whispered. "Even gravity hates me."
Then the teacher walked in.
Saved.
I sank into my seat.
Invisible again.
Perfect.
Because if there's one thing I'm good at—
It's surviving quietly.