starlaced_heart

Lina wasn’t invisible — she had just learned how to blend in.

Sitting at the back of the class, doing favors no one thanked her for, walking home alone while others laughed in groups — that was her world. No drama. No friends. No expectations.

But all it took was one moment.
One act of courage.

When Lina stood up for a bullied freshman, someone captured it on video. She didn’t expect anything to come from it… but the internet had other plans.

Suddenly, everyone wanted to know who she was.
The once-ignored girl became the name on everyone’s lips.
Upperclassmen smiled at her. Her classmates saved her a seat.
Snacks appeared on her desk. The cold student council president? He started walking her to class.
Even those who used to mock her were now asking, “Are you free this weekend?”

Lina never asked to be admired. She never wanted to be someone worth noticing.

But when the world finally sees her…
Will she be ready to accept the love she’s always thought she didn’t deserve?

All Eyes on Lina

It started with an announcement no one expected.

"Due to limited resources and guidance," their teacher said, tapping the whiteboard, "this quarter's group project will be a paired collaboration with selected students from the senior level. Think of it as mentorship."

Lina blinked, unsure how to feel. She wasn't exactly comfortable even with her own classmates — now they were pairing them with upperclassmen?

Rachel leaned in, whispering "I hope I get one of the quiet ones. Like that chess club guy who always wears cardigans."

Lina gave a nervous smile, barely paying attention until the teacher read out her name.

"Mirasol, Lina… you'll be paired with Velasco, Renzo."

Rachel turned to her fast her ponytail bounced. "Wait. Renzo? As in Renzo Renzo? The scary quiet one?

Lina didn't reply. Her mind was already spinning.

After Class — Library

They met by one of the round tables in the school library, surrounded by whispering books and awkward silence.

Renzo was already there when she arrived, flipping through a project guideline sheet with one earbud in. He looked up when she sat down but said nothing. Typical.

Lina cleared her throat. "So… our topic is social influence in digital platforms. Do you want to divide the parts or work together?

He stared at her for a moment, then pulled out a second sheet from his folder and slid it over. "I already drafted a structure. You can change it if you want."

She scanned the outline. It was neat. Efficient. Logical. Somehow, that made her nervous.

"You did all this already?"

"I don't like wasting time."

There it was — that sharp tone again. But there was no coldness in his eyes. Just… guardedness.

They worked side by side for a while, the silence surprisingly not uncomfortable. Until Lina accidentally dropped her pen and they both reached fot it.

He pulled back immediately, almost too quickly, like the contact burned.

Lina didn't speak — but she noticed his ears turn red.

He told himself it was just a project.

That he wasn't excited when the teacher called her name.

That he didn't purposely choose the table closest to the window so the sunlight would hit her side of the table instead of his — making her glow sime poetic daydream.

It was just static. Nothing important.

Then why was his chest beating like he'd run a mile?

By the time they finished reviewing the outline, the air between them had shifted — not exactly warm, but not cold either.

As Lina packed her things, she glanced at him.

"Thank you. For not making this weird."

Renzo didn't reply right away. Then quietly, he said:

"You're the only one who doesn't try too hard."

And for once… she didn't know how to respond.

Chapter 8: Grouped with the Grump