It wasn't easy being invisible. People talk about being ignored as if it's a blessing, but for me, it was a curse. High school hallways buzzed with life, laughter, and chatter, but I walked through them like a ghost. My name is Alex Thompson, and for most of my seventeen years, I've been the background character in the story of everyone else's life.

I wasn't the kind of boy people noticed for anything good. My body was rounder than most, my face fuller, and my skin darker. My hair, a curly mess, resisted any attempt at taming. Thick glasses framed my eyes, making me look more like a caricature than a teenager. In a world obsessed with looks, I was the guy who didn't fit in.

Grades? Average. Smack in the middle. Not smart enough to stand out, not dumb enough to fail. Teachers barely remembered my name, and classmates often forgot I was even there. To me, school was just a place I had to survive, a series of hurdles to jump over until I could finally escape.

Then there was gym class. Every day was a new lesson in humiliation. I was the kid picked last, the one everyone knew would drag the team down. My coordination was a joke, my stamina a bigger one. I could feel their eyes on me, the smirks, the whispered comments. To cope, I became an expert at excuses—anything to get out of participating. I'd rather fake a sprained ankle than endure another round of dodgeball.

Girls? Don't get me started. My sister and her friends, my cousins—they were the only girls I talked to. And even then, it was awkward. The idea of talking to a girl outside this safe circle? Terrifying. My mouth would dry up, my palms would sweat, and my words would stumble over each other. The thought of a close friendship or a relationship was as distant as a star in the night sky.

Trust was another issue. When I was a kid, I had a best friend. We were inseparable—until he robbed my house. That betrayal cut deep, and I built walls around my heart. I kept everyone at arm's length, fearing the pain of getting hurt again. My mind, always overthinking, convinced me that solitude was safer than the risk of trusting someone.

My only escape, my sanctuary, was a hidden cave deep in the forest behind my house. I found it by accident one day while wandering, needing to get away from everything. Inside, a magical fountain bubbled quietly, its waters glowing with an ethereal light. Here, I felt at peace. I'd sit for hours, just watching the fountain, letting its rhythm soothe my troubled mind. It was my secret place, known only to me.

In that cave, I could dream. The dim light reflected off the fountain's surface created a perfect backdrop for my fantasies. I imagined a different life, a life where I was confident and surrounded by friends. I dreamed of a female best friend who would understand me, support me, maybe even love me. But these were just dreams, spun in the safety of my hidden sanctuary.

At home, life was stable but uneventful. My parents were kind but busy, absorbed in their own lives and work. They loved me, but they didn't really understand me. My younger sister was everything I wasn't—popular, outgoing, confident. We got along, but there was a gap between us, a gap neither of us knew how to bridge.

Despite everything, I had a sharp mind and a vivid imagination. Books were my escape, stories filled with adventure, magic, and heroism. I was an otaku, lost in anime and manga. These tales of transformation and triumph resonated with me, offering a glimpse of a world where the underdog could rise and become a hero. They fueled my dreams, providing a refuge from my mundane reality.

Every day at school was a battle. I avoided eye contact, kept to myself, and spoke only when necessary. Lunchtime was spent in the far corner of the cafeteria, headphones on, eyes down. I had acquaintances—classmates who were friendly enough—but no real friends. My trust issues and overthinking kept me from forming any deep connections.

Every evening, after finishing my homework, I'd retreat to my cave. The journey through the forest was the highlight of my day, a time when I could leave behind the pressures and judgments of the world. The cave's entrance was well-hidden, covered by thick foliage. Inside, the air was cool and damp, the sound of the fountain echoing softly against the stone walls. Here, I could be myself, free from fear of rejection or ridicule.

In this quiet sanctuary, I allowed myself to dream. I dreamed of a day when I would be confident and strong, when I would have friends who accepted me for who I was. I dreamed of a girl who would see past my exterior and love me for the person I was inside. But most of all, I dreamed of escaping my current life, of finding a way to become someone else.

But for now, those dreams remained just that—dreams. I had no idea if things would ever change for me, but the cave gave me hope, and sometimes, that was enough to get through the day.

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Author's note

Welcome to my new book

The Awakening of the Hidden Guardian

Hope you all will like this book