--------
The weekend came and went, but Ariana's world had changed.
By Monday morning, the whispers had started.
It began in the hallways—soft, sharp-edged voices carried by the same air Ariana used to move through unnoticed. Now, eyes followed her. Some curious. Some narrowed. Some outright hostile.
She kept her gaze low as she entered the school, arms wrapped tightly around her books. The usual safety of silence was gone.
"Isn't that her?"
"She's the one from the art room with him…"
"Why her though? She's, like... nobody."
Ariana didn't need to turn to know who they were talking about. She didn't even need to look to feel the burning stare of Chloe, the queen bee of Eastwood High—Zayn's rumored ex, sometimes maybe-girlfriend, and reigning champion of all things popularity.
Chloe stood with her posse at the end of the hallway like she was born there, arms crossed, smile wicked. When her eyes met Ariana's, she didn't flinch. She smirked.
Ariana's stomach twisted.
She didn't want this. She didn't ask for it.
But that didn't stop the war from coming.
---
They were supposed to present their project during History class. Rowan had texted her the night before, a simple message that still made her blush:
> Don't worry, we've got this. See you tomorrow, A. 😌
But now, seated beside him at the front of the classroom, Ariana felt like every breath drew in tension. Rowan, however, looked perfectly relaxed, leaning back in his seat, glancing sideways at her with that same warm glint in his eyes.
When their turn came, they both stood. She was trembling. Not from fear of the presentation—but from the stares. The judgment. The attention.
But then Rowan said her name.
"Ariana will start us off."
It wasn't just the name. It was how he said it. Calm. Proud. Certain.
She lifted her chin and began.
Her voice started low, but as she spoke, something changed. Her words grew steadier. Stronger. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't just speaking—she was being heard. By all of them. Even by the girls in the back row who never knew she existed.
And most of all… by him.
When it ended, there was a pause—then unexpected applause. Even their teacher raised a brow in approval. Ariana sank into her seat, her cheeks flushed but her heart full.
"That was amazing," Rowan whispered beside her, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "You killed it."
She smiled. She couldn't help it.
But the victory was short-lived.
---
Lunchtime.
Ariana had just sat under her usual tree behind the art building when a shadow fell over her. She looked up—and her heart sank.
Chloe.
And two other girls Ariana recognized from Zayn's circle. Perfect hair, flawless faces, and manicured glares.
"Enjoying the spotlight?" Chloe asked, voice syrupy sweet with poison underneath.
Ariana didn't answer. She hugged her knees tighter, trying to disappear again, hoping maybe if she stayed still enough, they'd vanish.
"Rowan's being nice to you," Chloe continued, crouching down, eyes sharp. "But don't confuse that with something else. He does this sometimes. He's a flirt. A heartbreaker."
Still, Ariana said nothing.
One of the other girls scoffed. "She probably thinks this is some Cinderella moment."
"I get it," Chloe added. "You've been invisible forever. But you're not special. You're just… temporary, don't mistake a simple kind gesture for feelings.
Ariana's throat tightened. The words hit harder than she expected. She wanted to stand, to speak, to say something, but—
"Chloe."
Rowan's voice cut through the air like a blade.
They all turned. He was standing a few feet away, holding a tray from the cafeteria, eyebrows raised, tone cool.
"Don't you have better things to do? Chloe straightened slowly. "We were just talking."
"Yeah?" he said. "Well, talk to someone else."
She huffed, flipping her hair. "Fine. Enjoy your project."
And with that, they left.
Chloe walked over, dropped beside Ariana under the tree, and handed her a juice box.
"Don't let her get in your head," he said, voice gentler now.
Ariana blinked at him. "Why are you doing this?"
He looked at her. Really looked. "Doing what?"
"Being… nice to me. Sitting with me. Defending me. It doesn't make sense."
" I was used to being invisible, not having this much attention but now all that is changing,so please tell me why are doing this "
He leaned back on his elbows, eyes drifting to the clouds overhead.
"Because I like you," he said simply.
She froze.
"I don't care what they say," he continued. "You're different. Real. And you make me feel like… I can just be myself. That's rare, Ariana."
She stared at him, her heart pounding so loud she could barely hear the wind.
He turned to her again, smile soft. "I hope you'll let me keep sitting with you."
A beat o
f silence.
Then she nodded, so subtly it almost wasn't there.
But Zayn saw it.
And he smiled like it meant everything.