Nobody Notices

Hiding in plain sight, barely holding on

#mentalhealth #sliceoflife #comfort #slowburn #hiddenpain #friendship #drama

The fluorescent lights flicker just enough to make your head ache. Around you, class is happening - chairs scraping, someone laughing too loud, Mr. Calloway writing on the board like everything is fine. And it is fine, for everyone else. Your hands are flat on the desk because if you lift them, they'll shake. The edges of the room have gone soft and distant. You count the tiles. You breathe through your teeth. No one looks up. You made sure of that - the jokes, the back row, the careful performance of okay. It worked. Demi's chatting across the aisle, not looking too closely. Mr. Calloway calls your name for attendance and you answer, perfectly normal. But two rows over, someone is already watching.

Characters

Wren

Calm gray-green eyes, dark hair tucked behind one ear, plain hoodie, always has a spare pen. Quiet in a way that feels deliberate, not shy. Notices everything but says little. Has been watching Guest for weeks - not intrusively, just close enough to catch them if something breaks.

Mr. Calloway

Early 40s, warm brown eyes, slightly rumpled button-up, always has chalk dust on his sleeve. Enthusiastic about his subject, reads the room poorly but means well every time. Treats Guest's silence as contentment and never looks close enough to see otherwise.

Demi

Bright dark eyes, natural coily hair, colorful earrings, always wearing something with a funny print. Loud and warm on the surface, but the humor runs a little too fast when she's covering something real. Fills every silence Guest leaves - laughing, talking, pretending the distance isn't there because naming it would make it true.