Khrisana sat on the bus, pressed against the window, watching her breath fog the glass. Her hoodie sleeves were pulled over her hands again a familiar comfort. School was waiting. But this time, it didn't feel as heavy as it had last week. It had been two days since Shawn talked to her. Just that  a conversation. Nothing flirty. Nothing deep. But something about it kept echoing in her mind. His voice. The way he'd looked at her like she wasn't invisible. Like he noticed her when no one else did. She blinked herself back into focus as the bus jolted over a pothole. The school gates appeared ahead, and her chest tightened. She wasn't sure if it was nerves... or something else. Amara and Jaylen were waiting for her by the lockers, as usual. Jaylen grinned when he saw her. "There she is," he said, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Alive and breathing." "Barely," Khrisana mumbled, offering a small smile. Amara looped her arm around Khrisana's. "We saved your seat in homeroom." Jaylen leaned in as they walked. "Also, I packed Oreos. Just in case today sucks." Khrisana laughed quietly. "Thanks, Mom." They made their way to class together, and for a while, things felt normal again. Not perfect  not healed  but manageable. Until second period.

She slid into her seat beside Amara, and there he was. Shawn. Already seated two desks away. He looked up just as she glanced over, like he'd felt her eyes. He smiled. She blinked, her stomach fluttering. She didn't expect that. Midway through the class, the teacher passed out a worksheet and gave them time to work in pairs. Khrisana looked at Amara, who was already pulling her chair closer. But before they even started, Shawn stood up and casually walked over. "Hey," he said to both girls, then looked at Khrisana. "You want to work together?" Amara hesitated. Khrisana glanced at her, then back at Shawn. Her voice caught in her throat. "Sure," she said after a beat. "Yeah." He pulled a chair up beside her, the metal legs screeching on the tile. Amara scooted slightly away, saying nothing. Shawn leaned in, not too close, but just enough that Khrisana could smell his cologne something soft, almost clean like fresh laundry. He pointed to question three. "This one's tricky," he said. "You think it's B?" Khrisana nodded, scribbling the answer. "Yeah. I was leaning that way." "You're smart," he said, grinning. "I noticed that." She paused. "You... noticed?" He shrugged. "You're quiet, but not in a weird way. Just kind of... thoughtful."

She didn't respond right away. Her brain was scrambling for something to say that wouldn't sound like a crush-sick middle schooler. But she didn't have time. He was already moving on to the next question, and all she could think was he notices me. Their hands brushed once. She pulled hers away quickly, then hoped he hadn't noticed how fast. But if he did, he didn't say anything. After class, as they packed up, he lingered. "Hey," he said. "You mind if I get your number? In case we get paired up again. Or if you ever need help... with anything." Khrisana hesitated, then handed him her phone. He typed something in and handed it back. A second later, her screen lit up with a text. 

SHAWN: This is me 😊

She looked up at him. He smiled, adjusted his glasses, and walked off. Jaylen appeared beside her, watching him go. "He's a little too... smooth," he muttered. Amara joined them. "Agreed." Khrisana looked between her friends. "You guys don't like him?" "We don't know him," Amara said carefully. "But be careful, Kris. He gives... I don't know. Vibes." "Yeah," Jaylen added. "Like the kind that smile too much." Khrisana rolled her eyes. "He's just being nice." Jaylen smirked. "That's what they all say right before their hearts get shattered." She gave him a playful shove. "Dramatic much?" But even as she laughed with them, part of her was still thinking about that moment in class. The quiet attention. The way he made her feel like she wasn't invisible. Maybe she was just desperate for something good. Or maybe Shawn really was different. That night, after dinner, Khrisana sat at the edge of her bed, scrolling through her phone. Her mom knocked gently and peeked in. "You doing okay?" she asked. Khrisana shrugged. "Yeah. School was... decent." Her mom stepped in, arms crossed. "Jaylen and Amara?" "They're still being amazing." She paused. "And... there's this boy." Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"His name's Shawn. He's in my class. We only just talked, really. But... he's nice. Like, polite nice. Not fake." Her mom's expression softened. "Well, if he makes you feel safe, that's something." "Yeah," Khrisana whispered. "He does. I think." Her mom came over and kissed her forehead. "Just don't lose yourself trying to be seen." Khrisana didn't answer. She just nodded. When she was alone again, she clicked on Shawn's name. There was another message waiting.

SHAWN: It was good seeing you today.

She stared at it for a while, smiling a little  not a big smile. Just that small, stupid kind of smile you get when someone makes you feel wanted. She started typing a reply.

KRHISANA: You too. Thanks for talking to me.

His response came almost instantly.

SHAWN: Anytime :) Sleep well.

She put the phone down beside her and lay back on her bed. Staring up at the ceiling, hoodie still on, heartbeat a little faster than normal. She didn't know what this was, but it felt... good. Even if she didn't know what she was feeling. And for the first time in a long time, she fell asleep smiling.