Rriyeen

Noted! is a humorous, slice-of-life comedy that follows a 16-year-old high schooler who hasn’t spoken in years due to a traumatic past. Communicating only through a beat-up notebook, the main character navigates the chaos of high school life with a quirky group of friends who are anything but ordinary. From the overly dramatic Julian, the walking encyclopedia Milo, the mischievous Luca, to the kind and patient Lila, the group’s adventures are filled with hilarious moments and unpredictable antics.

Each chapter brings a new, random, and funny scenario—whether it’s a disastrous talent show performance, a museum field trip gone wrong, or a group project that turns into an absurd disaster. Despite the comedic chaos, the novel also explores themes of friendship, self-expression, and the quiet, yet powerful, bond that forms between the MC and their friends.

In a world full of noise, this group learns that even silence can be a form of communication—and sometimes, the most memorable moments come from the most unexpected places.

Noted!

The gym was packed. The lights were dimmed, and the stage was set. The talent show was officially underway.

Julian, in full costume, was pacing backstage. The MC, now the official cape-holder, was trying to stay calm—but between the glitter explosion that was Julian and Luca's barely contained excitement, it was impossible.

"You're going to do great, Julian!" the MC scribbled in their notebook, trying to be encouraging. They were holding the cape like it was a rare artifact.

"I am great," Julian said dramatically, brushing off the compliment. "I'm legendary. I was born for the stage."

"Yeah, legendary is one word for it," Luca snickered, tossing another paper plane. "I'm just here for the train wreck."

Milo had taken a seat in the audience, already pulling out their notebook, ready to take notes on the entire disaster. "Did you know the talent show in 1967 had a surprise performance by the school's band? The entire audience went wild," Milo said, without looking up.

"Milo, the audience is going wild. They're just pretending for Julian's sake."

Luca cackled, nudging the MC. "True, true. This is going to be epic."

Finally, it was Julian's turn. They strutted onto the stage, cape trailing behind them like they were auditioning for a Broadway show. The spotlight hit them, and they froze for a split second. A look of sheer panic flashed across their face.

The MC quickly scribbled in their notebook:

"Remember, don't trip on the cape. You've got this."

Julian gave a shaky thumbs-up and then launched into the opening lines of Hamlet, but the words came out more like a high-pitched squeak. The crowd chuckled, and Julian immediately flared their arms in a grand gesture, making the cape fly off their shoulder.

The cape hit a kid in the front row, who fell backward in surprise. The whole audience gasped and then erupted into laughter.

The MC, standing in the wings, could only facepalm. Julian turned crimson but quickly recovered, launching into a dramatic soliloquy, their voice an octave too high. The cape had a life of its own, swishing in every direction.

"To be or not to—" Julian tripped on the cape. Thud.

The audience gasped. Lila, sitting in the front row, was trying to stifle a laugh, but when she caught the MC's eye, she gave them a look of silent sympathy, as if to say, I knew this would happen.

"I'm dying. This is better than I imagined."

Luca, from the side, added loudly, "We're all dying in here, MC! But in a good way!"

Julian, now laying on the floor, gave an exaggerated dramatic sigh, "I meant to do that! It's a tragedy!"

The audience roared with laughter. And for the first time that night, Julian, on the floor, looked genuinely happy. They'd turned the disaster into their greatest performance yet.

The MC smiled, watching Julian's unexpected victory. The show wasn't about being perfect—it was about the moments in between.

The Show Must Go Wrong