The next few days blurred into a strange, confusing haze for Susan.
Marcus was everywhere.
Waiting for her outside her classes.
Sliding into the seat next to her during lunch.
Leaving little notes on her desk — notes that made her cheeks burn and her heart flutter despite the sharp voice in her head warning her to be careful.
Nobody had ever looked at her like Marcus did.
Nobody had ever smiled at her like she mattered.
Susan wanted so badly to believe it.
To believe she wasn't just a target.
To believe she could be wanted — even if only for a little while.
---
One afternoon, Susan sat under the old oak tree behind the science building, trying to study.
Marcus strolled over, tossing his backpack onto the grass.
"You always hide here?" he teased, flopping down beside her.
Susan shrugged, hugging her knees.
"It's... quiet."
He leaned back on his elbows, watching her.
"You don't have to hide," Marcus said, his voice soft.
"You're beautiful. You should be proud."
Susan flushed, ducking her head.
Marcus chuckled lowly and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"You have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen."
Susan blinked, heart pounding painfully against her ribs.
Was this real?
Could it be real?
---
Meanwhile, Jackim sat at a distance, his notebook forgotten on his lap.
He watched Susan laughing softly at something Marcus said.
A tight knot twisted in Jackim's chest.
Something didn't feel right.
Marcus wasn't the type to chase after girls like Susan.
Jackim knew that.
Everyone knew that.
And yet... there he was.
Charming. Smiling. Reeling her in.
Jackim gritted his teeth and looked away.
He had no right to interfere.
Had no right to feel anything.
Susan deserved happiness.
Even if it came from the wrong hands.
---
Later that night, Susan sat on her narrow bed in the tiny room she shared with two other foster kids, staring at her phone.
There was a message from Marcus:
> Can't stop thinking about you. Meet me tomorrow after school? Just us.
Susan hugged the phone to her chest, her heart aching.
For once, someone wanted her.
For once, she wasn't invisible.
She typed back a simple word, her fingers trembling.
> Okay.
---
In the dark corner of a group chat, Jessica and Samantha laughed over screenshots.
"She bought it," Samantha typed, sending a dozen laughing emojis.
Jessica smirked, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
"This is just the beginning," she replied.
"Let's make her fall so hard... she'll never get back up."
---