Chapter 1

Once the group shots were wrapped up, everyone started taking their own photos.

Susie Langdon and Paul Ramos stuck together. They looked so good side by side. It was like they were made for each other.

Joanna Boyle held up her camera and waved me out of the way. "Zach, move over a bit. You're blocking the shot."

I stepped aside without a word.

The three of them took pictures for two straight hours, trying every pose in pairs or in threes. And through it all, none of them asked me to join in.

I left the field and went back to the classroom to pack my stuff. On my way out, I overheard a few girls gossiping.

"Susie and Paul are totally the campus dream couple. They look so good together."

"Joanna's super cute too, and she's got a bubbly personality. But don't you think Zach seems totally out of place with them?"

"I don't know why he keeps trying so hard to fit in with them. I heard they didn't even ask him to be in any photos with them today."

Holding a heavy stack of books, I froze in the empty hallway.

I stared at the leaves falling outside the window and wondered how many times they'd left me out like this. How many times had even outsiders noticed how out of place I looked beside them?

Paul and Joanna had been my friends since we were kids.

They were both good-looking, outgoing, and popular. They had always been the center of attention ever since we were little.

And I was always the guy trailing behind them, carrying their bags.

Deep down, I wanted someone to actually see me. When I met Susie, I thought I'd finally found a girl whose eyes were only on me.

But I had ended up as nothing more than part of the background.

Suddenly, my phone chimed.

Paul had just posted a carousel of photos on Instagram. One showed Susie piggybacking on him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she laughed.

The comments were filled with people saying things like "Power couple!" and "Made for each other!"

Joanna commented, "Well, looks like our school's dream couple finally has their perfect photo!"

Susie replied, "Guess someone can finally stop complaining now."

Paul responded, "Excuse you, you wanted it just as much as I did! Stop putting it all on me!"

The comments filled up with more jokes and playful banter between the three of them. Someone even mentioned me.

I didn't reply. Nobody seemed to care anyway.

I liked Paul's post, then unpinned my chat with Susie.

If that was what they wanted, then so be it.

When I got home, a notification popped up. It was a message in our group chat.