People in every classroom can be divided into two groups.
Those that people know.
And those who exist quietly in the back.
Loid Ainsworth was a member of the second group.
He would sit next to the window. Not because he liked it—but because no one paid any attention to him to have any idea where he would be sitting. The desk he was at had many scratches, names and initials carved into them…the names of people who had once mattered (to at least someone). He would absent-mindedly trace his finger over them as he listened to the low buzz of chatter around him.
This classroom was loud.
Just not for him.
"Bro, looks like you are once again trying to figure out the solution for all of life's problems."
With that Jay Carter dropped down into the seat in front of Loid. He spun himself around with the same ease that you would have to remember what you were doing after a spin. The impact of Jay's presence was in direct contrast to the way Loid was. He was loud…not annoying. He was confident but didn't have to work hard to be so.
"I'm not," Loid said softly.
"Are you sure? Because the look on your face says that you are," said Jay, raising an eyebrow.
Loid didn't answer.
He had already lost interest and was staring across the room.
Charlotte Vale was standing at the front of the room with several people around her & talking to a small group. Charlotte was not loud. Charlotte was not trying to be the center of attention…but somehow, people listened to her when she spoke.
Loid caught a glance at Mia and smiled while tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. It seemed like such an innocent gesture; yet it carried a sense of urbanity that Loid couldn't quite put into words.
She seemed accessible.
Yet not the type of person you would approach casually.
"Loid, you're stalking again;" Jay was watching Loid's face as he followed his line of sight.
Loid turned his back on Jay instantly; "I'm not stalking."
"Sure," Jay replied with a sly grin, "Charlotte Vale?
"I don't want to get into it, Jay."
"Don't worry, I'm just making an observation that shows courage."
"I didn't say anything."
"You never have to. Your eyes will say everything."
Loid was shaking his head, with nothing else to say on the issue.
Arguing with Jay would have served no purpose.
It wasn't as though he had a crush on this girl.
He noticed her.
More than most.
That was all.
The classroom door opened and the noise began to dissipate as students took their seats.
Charlotte walked to the front row where Loid was sitting.
For a brief moment, she glanced in his direction.
Loid's heart rate increased.
She continued to walk.
She didn't stop at all.
She obviously never recognized him.
She simply walked past him like he was a part of the furniture.
And maybe… he was.
"Hey," Jay nudged him, "are you good?"
Loid blinked back at him while forcing out what he hoped was a smile.
"Yeah."
But that moment had something to keep it real.
Not bad.
Not dramatic.
Just… there.
There was an empty place.
The space in between where he was…
And where she was.
And Loid Ainsworth not only noticed for the very first time—
He understood for the first time.
The teacher entered class, told them to be quiet.
Books opened. Pens moved. The rhythm of the day was beginning again.
But Loid was no longer paying attention.
Because he had a thought that had settled inside his head.
Not loud.
Not in a hurry.
Just steady.
If there was an empty place—
Maybe he could fill it.
Not by chance.
Not by accident.
But by becoming someone that would be seen.
Someone who would not just stand in the background.
Someone…
who would be able to stand inside of her world.
Loid leaned back, looking down at his notebook.
For the first time in a long while—
He would not only witness his own life.
He would change it.