Liam Cooper didn't hate high school—he hated his place in it. Invisible. Forgettable. The kind of guy people only noticed when they needed a favor or someone to blame. But he didn't mind so much, because all his focus was on Naomi Lee, the girl he'd been quietly infatuated with since the eighth grade.
Naomi wasn't just beautiful; she was magnetic. She moved through the hallways as if the world bent to her presence. Her laughter was the kind you could hear from across the room, the kind that made heads turn. And Liam? He was her shadow, always close enough to help, but never close enough to matter.
---
That afternoon, Naomi stood by her locker, struggling to shove a stack of books into her bag. Liam, always attentive, swooped in.
"Here, let me," he offered, grabbing the top-heavy pile before it tumbled.
Naomi flashed him a quick smile. "Thanks, Liam. You're a lifesaver."
His heart soared at her acknowledgment, even if her eyes were already drifting past him, scanning the hallway for someone else. Probably her boyfriend of the month.
"It's no problem," he mumbled, clutching the books tightly.
She took them back, not noticing how his fingers lingered on the edges. "You're the best. See you in English!" And then she was gone, her laughter trailing behind her as she joined her friends.
Liam stood there for a moment, clutching the empty air where her books had been.
"You're hopeless," a voice said behind him.
He turned to see Emily Carter leaning against the lockers, her arms crossed and a knowing smirk on her face.
"What do you mean?" Liam asked, though he already knew.
Emily rolled her eyes. "You've got it bad for Naomi. And for what? She barely knows you exist."
"She talks to me," Liam said defensively.
"She talks at you," Emily corrected. "There's a difference."
Liam scowled but said nothing. Emily had a way of cutting straight to the truth, and he hated her for it sometimes. Not that he could stay mad at her for long. Emily had been his best friend since they were kids, walking home together every day, sharing stupid jokes and snacks.
"Look," Emily said, softening. "I'm not saying you shouldn't like her. I'm just saying… don't lose yourself waiting for someone who isn't looking back."
---
That evening, Liam sat in his room, staring at the mirror. Emily's words echoed in his mind, irritatingly persistent. He didn't lose himself. He just… cared a lot. Was that so bad?
His reflection stared back at him, unimpressive and ordinary. Shaggy brown hair that fell into his eyes, glasses perpetually askew, and a collection of clothes that screamed "I don't care."
But he did care.
He cared enough to spend hours on homework Naomi forgot, to carry books she didn't want to, and to laugh at jokes that weren't funny just to see her smile. And yet, it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
For the first time, a flicker of resentment crept into his thoughts.
Why wasn't he enough?
---
The next day, Liam kept his head down, avoiding Naomi and Emily alike. He needed time to think. He wandered to the library during lunch, seeking the quiet solace of books and solitude.
As he sat by the window, his phone buzzed. A text from Emily.
Emily: "Skipping lunch to mope isn't a solution, you know."
He sighed, ignoring her message. But as he stared out the window, he saw her walking across the courtyard, a stack of books in her arms. She paused, looking up at the library windows, as if sensing he was there.
For a moment, Liam felt a pang of guilt. Emily always noticed him, even when he was trying to disappear.
---
After school, Emily caught up to him at the gate, as she always did.
"Hey," she said, falling into step beside him. "You've been quiet today."
"Just thinking," Liam replied, not meeting her eyes.
"About her?" Emily guessed.
Liam hesitated, then shook his head. "No. About… me."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Self-reflection. That's new."
He managed a weak laugh. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
She nudged his shoulder. "I'm serious, though. If you're thinking about making a change, do it for yourself, not for her."
Her words lingered long after they parted ways, and Liam couldn't shake the feeling that Emily was right. For years, he had been living his life in orbit around Naomi, hoping for a moment of recognition. Maybe it was time to focus on himself for once.
---
That night, Liam stood in front of his mirror again. This time, he didn't see the same invisible boy staring back. He saw someone tired of waiting, tired of being ignored.
Something had to change. And for the first time, he was ready to take control of his story.
---