There are two kinds of people in every classroom.
The ones everyone knows.
And the ones who quietly exist in the background.
Loid Ainsworth belonged to the second kind.
He sat near the window, not by choice, but because no one ever really cared where he sat. The desk had small scratches carved into it—initials of people who had once mattered, at least to someone. Loid traced one of them absentmindedly, listening to the low hum of conversations around him.
Laughter came easily in this classroom.
Just not from him.
"Bro, you look like you're solving life problems again."
Jay Carter dropped into the seat in front of him, spinning around with effortless ease. His presence was the opposite of Loid's—loud without being annoying, confident without trying too hard.
"I'm not," Loid replied softly.
Jay raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because that face says otherwise."
Loid didn't answer.
His attention had already drifted.
Across the room.
Charlotte Vale stood near the front, talking to a small group—Ava, Mia, and a few others. She wasn't the loudest. She wasn't trying to be the center of attention either.
But somehow… people listened when she spoke.
She smiled at something Mia said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. It was such a simple movement, but it carried a kind of natural ease that Loid couldn't explain.
She wasn't unreachable.
Just… not someone you'd approach easily.
"You're staring again," Jay said, following his gaze.
Loid looked away instantly. "I wasn't."
"Yeah, sure." Jay leaned back slightly, a knowing grin forming. "Charlotte Vale, huh?"
Loid sighed. "Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything," Jay said. "I'm just saying… you've got guts."
"I didn't say anything."
"You don't have to. Your eyes do the talking."
Loid shook his head, but didn't argue further.
Because denying it felt pointless.
It wasn't like this was some dramatic crush.
He just… noticed her.
More than others.
That's all.
The classroom door opened, and the noise settled slightly as students began taking their seats.
Charlotte walked past his row.
For a second—just a second—her eyes moved in his direction.
Loid felt his chest tighten.
But she didn't stop.
Didn't pause.
Didn't recognize him.
She simply walked past.
Like he was part of the furniture.
And maybe… he was.
"Oi," Jay nudged him lightly. "You good?"
Loid blinked, forcing a small smile. "Yeah."
But something about that moment stayed.
Not painful.
Not dramatic.
Just… clear.
There was a gap.
Between where he was…
And where she stood.
And for the first time—
Loid Ainsworth didn't just notice it.
He understood it.
The teacher walked in, calling for silence.
Books opened. Pens moved. The usual rhythm began.
But Loid wasn't paying attention anymore.
Because a thought had settled quietly in his mind.
Not loud.
Not desperate.
Just steady.
If there really was a gap—
Then maybe…
He could close it.
Not by chance.
Not by luck.
But by becoming someone who wouldn't be overlooked.
Someone who wouldn't just exist in the background.
Someone…
who could stand in her world.
Loid leaned back slightly, eyes lowering to his notebook.
For the first time in a long time—
He wasn't just observing his life.
He was about to change it.