ONE-THE INVISIBLE KID

I sat amongst the boys at the table, listening attentively to all the talking moving and going on around me-every word, pause, laughter or chuckle registering on my mind, yet I couldn't bring myself to utter a word. Not even laughter would come out from me.

Who was I kidding any way? No one even registered the fact that I was there, so why bother?

"Personally, I think Netflix produces better series." Chen was saying. At this point, I wanted to say something, but then...

"Grrrrrrrr..." Went the bell signaling the end of the break period, and everyone got up simultaneously, leaving me alone at the table - again.

I sighed and slowly packed up my bag and their leftover plates, and took them to the Caf attendant.

"Put them over there." She said in a cheerless, bored and indifferent tone of voice.

What was I going to say to them in the first place? I hadn't thought about it. Maybe the first place that came to my mind, which wasn't probably what they wanted to hear.

I shrugged and dropped the plates at the designated counter, and left.

I headed to my favorite spot - behind the school hall.

I was consciously skipping music class because I knew I wasn't going to be noticed- Mr Yin doesn't ever notice anyone in the first place.

Someone once said that when you're invisible, silent and afraid of people, you're shy. I'm not shy , God knows, but I know I would win an award for most invisible student in the whole of Kentwood.

"Oh hey."I said as Mike and Marcel Walked past me. Either they didn't see me, or actively pretended not to hear me.

I sat by the wall, and took out my phone; 98%, and one message. That looked new. No one ever messaged me apart from Tessy Liu-chen.

I opened the message;

[ I need your help]

I chuckled , and decided against replying, but she texted me again, noticing I was online;

[ Why aren't you in class??]

This I had to reply;

[ Just needed time ENOLA]

[ENOLA??]

[ALONE=ENOLA]

[ You watch too much Netflix]

[....]

I paused to wait for her reply, then I texted when no one came;

[ What do you need 'help' with?]

[ Oh that]

[ Is it another boy??]

[ Guilty]

[ !!!]

[ So will you help me?]

[ Meet me at the old warehouse]

[ New spot?]

[ The train's a hook up spot now]

[...Eww]

[ I've got to go. Got some thinking to do.]

[ Whenever..]

I chuckled, and switched off the phone. Tessy Liu-chen was like the only person I could talk to in the whole of Kentwood. I felt unsure around every other person. And the problem with her, was that she couldn't bring herself to talk to a boy. Time last time I helped her chat him up, things ran smoothly, till their first date... I'd like to say she sucked at conversing with boys- I mean who starts a conversation with exams?

But overall, she's literally the only friend I've got, so what do I do?

I opened my bag, and realized I was short on spray paints.

********

"Why'd you skip music class?" Tessy asked fiercely, as we walked back home from school.

"I needed time alone." I said with a shrug like we were just meeting each other for the first time today.

"To do what?" She pried.

"Want maybe." I said as a joke but it came out sounding like sarcasm.

"Very funny." She snorted and took a bend that led to her house.

"See you later." I called after her, and she gave a raised thumbs up.