The Introvert

Lena's breath came in short, panicked gasps.

Her hands—her legs—her face—were gone.

She stumbled back, nearly tripping over the edge of her bed. The room was still there—the posters on the walls, the books stacked in the corner, the dim yellow glow of the tube light—but she wasn't.

She waved an arm frantically, expecting to see at least a blur, a shadow—something.

Nothing.

The mirror reflected only an empty room.

Lena's heart pounded as she gripped the edge of her desk, trying to steady herself. This isn't real. This isn't happening.

And then—just as suddenly as it had vanished—her reflection snapped back into place.

She staggered forward, hands gripping her face, her arms—checking, making sure she was solid again. The panic in her chest didn't fade.

Had she imagined it? No. It had happened. She had been gone.

She stared at her reflection, her own dark eyes wide with fear.

What the hell was happening to her?

---

The Next Day

Lena barely slept that night. When morning came, she dragged herself through her routine, moving on autopilot—school uniform, breakfast, the rickshaw ride to school. She wasn't sure if she was more scared that it would happen again—or that it wouldn't.

At Orchid Valley Senior Secondary School, everything felt the same. The crowded hallways, the ringing school bell, the endless chatter of students talking about everything from exam stress to last night's IPL match.

Everything should have been normal.

But then she saw him.

Ethan Graves.

She didn't know much about him, only that he was a year above her and the kind of person everyone noticed. He wasn't loud or showy, but people were drawn to him—the way he carried himself, the effortless charm. He had sharp features, deep brown eyes, and the kind of confidence that didn't need words.

And today, for the first time ever, he was looking directly at her.

Not past her. Not through her.

At her.

Lena's stomach twisted.

Ethan Graves had never so much as glanced in her direction before. But now, standing at the other end of the hallway, he was staring at her with an expression that sent chills down her spine.

Like he knew something.

Like he had seen something.

She quickly looked away, heart racing, and hurried to class.

But she could feel it.

Ethan Graves was still watching her.

And for the first time in her life, Lena realized—she wasn't invisible anymore.