A FEW YEARS AGO The cafeteria was packed that afternoon, loud, hot, and full of laughter that didn’t quite reach Ivy. She sat in her usual corner, back pressed against the cold wall, trying to stay invisible. Her tray sat barely touched in front of her, a sandwich, milk, an apple.She kept her eyes on her notebook, scribbling quietly, hoping no one noticed her. But someone always did.Jason.He sat two tables away, surrounded by his friends, loud, confident boys who thought the school belonged to them. Jason leaned back in his chair, chewing gum, his sharp eyes following her every move. He didn’t speak at first, just watched. Like a cat watching a mouse that forgot where to run.One of his friends laughed. “Yo, man, your little project partner’s got company.”Jason’s gaze flicked up. Across the cafeteria, one of the boys from Ivy’s science group had walked over to her table and sat down, smiling.“Hey, Ivy,” the boy said kindly. “You got the report ready? I can take it to the lab roo
Last Updated : 2025-11-13 Read more