For the next few days, I kept seeing Daniel around campus more often.
Sometimes outside class.
Sometimes near the library.
Sometimes just passing by on the walkways between buildings.
And every time, he smiled when he saw me.
Every time, he spoke first.
It was strange how quickly small interactions could become part of someone's routine.
That afternoon, I was leaving the science building when I spotted him near the student center.
He stood near the stairs holding his phone while looking around like he was waiting for someone.
Before I could overthink it, I started walking toward him.
For once, I almost felt confident enough to approach first.
"Dan—"
The word barely left my mouth before someone else reached him first.
Chloe.
She walked up beside him naturally, smiling brightly as she said something I couldn't hear.
Daniel immediately looked over at her and smiled back.
And just like that, I stopped walking.
My chest sank quietly.
Again.
I stood there awkwardly for a second while they continued talking like they already knew each other well.
Maybe they did.
Of course they probably did.
Chloe knew everyone.
And Daniel was easy to talk to.
It made sense.
Still, something uncomfortable twisted inside me anyway.
I watched Chloe laugh at something he said before lightly touching his arm.
Daniel laughed too.
And suddenly I felt stupid for even thinking about walking over there.
Because somehow this always happened.
Every single time.
People always drifted toward girls like Chloe.
Pretty girls.
Confident girls.
Girls who knew how to speak without overthinking every word first.
I looked down quickly before either of them noticed me standing there.
The jealousy came fast and sharp, but it didn't even surprise me anymore.
Because Chloe was beautiful.
Anyone with eyes could see that.
She had the kind of beauty that looked effortless—perfect hair even when she claimed she was "running late," bright smile, clear skin, confidence that made people naturally pay attention to her.
And then there was me.
Quiet.
Awkward.
Always standing slightly outside conversations instead of inside them.
I swallowed hard and turned away before they could see me.
My chest felt heavy as I walked back toward the dorm.
Not because Daniel owed me anything.
He didn't.
We barely even knew each other.
But somehow seeing him talk to Chloe so easily made that old feeling return again.
That familiar feeling of being replaceable.
Forgettable.
Like no matter who I met, eventually someone brighter would walk into the room and naturally become the person people wanted to talk to instead.
By the time I reached the dorm, my mood had completely dropped.
The room was empty again.
I sat down on my bed slowly and stared at the wall.
Part of me felt ridiculous for reacting this way.
But another part of me was simply tired.
Tired of always feeling one step behind everyone else socially.
Tired of comparing myself to girls like Chloe.
Tired of feeling invisible beside people who shined naturally.
My phone buzzed softly beside me.
Ryan.
I ignored it immediately.
Then I leaned back on my bed and closed my eyes.
Because deep down, the worst part wasn't even Daniel talking to Chloe.
It was how quickly I assumed I had already lost before I even tried.