The bus pulled into the school parking lot. Kids jumped up instantly, grabbing bags, excited to go home. Outside the bus, the parents were already gathered. Min Soo held my hand as he led me to his parent.
A sharp-dressed man in a black suit, like he'd just come from a boardroom. He radiated importance. He didn't smile, didn't wave, just stood there with his hands clasped behind his back.
Min Soo waved, and for a second, his dad's face softened with something almost like pride.
Then, from the opposite side of the lot, I heard my name. My mom. She rushed over, purse swinging, her heels clicked too loud against the pavement, and I felt the familiar flush of embarrassment rise in my cheeks. I instantly stiffened.
My mom reached me, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "There you are. Oh, you've grown… well, mostly sideways."
Before I could react, she noticed Min Soo beside me.
"And who's this?" she asked with a polite smile.
Min Soo stepped forward before I could shrink.
"Hello, ma'am, I'm Min Soo. Scarlett's boyfriend. It's really nice to meet you.
"Well, Min Soo," she said, glancing toward his father. "You must take after your dad. Very polite."
I nearly dropped my bag. Min Soo's father approached then, nodding once in greeting.
"Thank you, ma'am."
My mom straightened, suddenly the picture of charm. I stared. What was happening? They shook hands. And for one surreal, silent second, everything felt possible.
The second I climbed the stairs to the second floor, there she was, leaning in the doorway of the room next to mine.
"Took you long enough," Keisha said, arms crossed. "I was about to declare you legally dead and steal your charger"
I smiled. "I have stories," I said. "But first, I'm in need of a shower."
"Yeah, you smell like tree trauma and regret."
Keisha was holding the notes Min Soo had given me.
"These are adorable. Who wrote these?"
"That's from Min Soo," I said.
She blinked. "Min who?"
"Long story," I said. "Camp happened. And, well, he happened."
I logged into MySpace. Keisha leaned over my shoulder and gasped.
"That's him?"
I nodded.
"Oh my. He looks fine, wait, are those abs?"
"So. You gonna tell me everything or what?"
I leaned back.
"I think... I'm in love" I whispered.
"Well damn. You came back with plot development."
Monday morning arrived like a slap and a sigh. Of course I saw him as soon as I arrived.
He was dressed head to toe in white, a clean, sharp white button-down, white sneakers, and light jeans like it was intentional, like he meant to glow. And he did. He was surrounded by a group of girls laughing too hard, tilting their heads like maybe he'd look at them the right way if they giggled at the perfect pitch.
His entire face lit up as soon as he saw me. The girls barely had time to turn around before he was in front of me. He didn't say anything right away. Then, without asking, he took my bag off my shoulder, like it was something fragile. His fingers brushed mine in the handoff and stayed there.
I looked down. He was holding my hand. In front of everyone. And he didn't let go.
"Good morning," he said, quiet and sincere, like we were somewhere private. Like it was just us.
Between classes, he found me. Always. Even when we had different schedules, even when we had just five minutes. He'd pass me a piece of gum, ask how class went, remind me to drink water, and compliment me.
The final bell rang, a dull echo behind me as I pushed through the school doors into the heavy afternoon air. I made my way to the old bench out front, my usual waiting spot for my cab. I sat down, tugging my sleeves over my hands, watching dust swirl around my shoes as I tried not to think too much.
A few minutes passed before Min Soo wandered over, his backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Why are you just sitting here?" he asked, tilting his head.
I shrugged, but he sat down next to me anyway, like it didn't matter.
Gabriella appeared a few minutes later, plopping down on my other side like it was the most natural thing in the world. She didn't ask anything, just smiled, with Danny glued to her side as always. Soon, others followed. No one asked why I was there. No one made me explain.For once, I wasn't sitting alone.
He brushed his thumb along the back of my hand before letting it go, gently placing my bag into the cab as if passing off something precious.
And then he stood there, watching me leave, until the car pulled out of sight.
Keisha was already waiting in my room by the time I got back.
Bag of chips in one hand, her boot resting on my desk chair like she owned the place.
"Well, well, if it isn't the main character," she said, eyes glinting.
I dropped my bag and collapsed onto the bed, groaning into my pillow.
"Oh no you don't," Keisha said, snatching the pillow away.
"You don't get to vanish on me again. Spill."
"I'm tired," I mumbled.
"You're in love," she countered. "Different kind of tired. Now talk."
So I told her everything. How I didn't have a second being invisible as usual, how he bought me lunch, how I now had a table of friends to sit at, which even had people standing around it as everyone wanted a spot. How I didn't have to wait alone for my cab for the first time.
She stared at me a second longer. Then tossed a chip in my direction.
"You better write that boy a song or some poetry or somethin'. Don't let a man like that get away."
I smiled up at the ceiling.
It evolved.
From the very first day back, something had shifted in the air.
I wasn't invisible anymore.
People moved when I walked down the hall. Girls I'd never spoken to complimented my outfits. Boys who'd never looked twice at me asked if I was "talking to anyone."
And it wasn't just because of Min Soo. It was me.
The way I carried myself. The way I looked people in the eye now. The way I dressed like I had nothing to hide. The way I said "no" without explaining.
I wasn't chasing a spotlight.
But somehow, it landed on me anyway.
People said we were the It Couple. The Golden Pair. It would be written in the school yearbook before the year had even ended.
People were already dancing, taking selfies, leaning against the walls trying to look like they weren't waiting to be noticed. And then we walked in.
Min Soo's eyes were trained only on me.
I, in a black strapless top and tight black jeans. Keisha had done my hair nicely, so it was slightly wavy. Her parting words:
"You're the main character, babe. Try not to break too many hearts."
We stepped through the double doors, and the entire room shifted. Heads turned. Conversations paused. Someone let out a low whistle.
But I didn't care about any of them.
Min Soo looked at me like the moon had fallen from the sky and landed in my hands.
James of course had to break the magic spell.
I spotted James lurking near the speakers, his expression unreadable. He hadn't bothered me in weeks, not since Min Soo called him out at camp, but now he stepped forward, eyes narrowed just enough to sting.
"Didn't know charity cases and freaks got invited to the dance floor now," he muttered, loud enough for me to hear.
I froze, the words stinging harder than they should have. But before I could even react, Min Soo turned to him, calm and deadly.
"Jealousy looks ugly on you, James."
James blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"You've been trying to tear her down since camp. And you know why? Because she doesn't care what you think. And that kills you, doesn't it?"
Min Soo didn't flinch.
"You're just mad she became everything you wanted to be. And she did it without even trying."
James turned red. He looked like he wanted to throw a punch, but there were too many eyes. Too many witnesses. He scoffed.
"Whatever."
I looked up at Min Soo, stunned. He just smiled and gently took my hand again.
"Let's not waste another second on someone like that."
And we didn't.
I walked up the cracked steps with aching feet and silver pins still in my hair. Keisha met me at the door, arms crossed.
"Well?" she asked, eyes scanning me from head to toe.
I didn't even try to downplay it.
I just smiled, soft, full, and real.
"I think I had my fairytale night." Keisha grinned.
"Took you long enough."