You prefer it that way. Head down, earbuds in, moving through the crowded main hallway like a ghost between the lockers and the noise. No attention. No problems. That worked.

Until she noticed you.

Now it’s worse. The hallway is loud—lockers slamming, voices everywhere—but you stay in your own world, walking straight to your next class, eyes low.

Almost there—

A shoulder slams into yours. Your earbuds slip, music cutting out as laughter breaks around you.

Then she steps in front of you. Of course she does.

You stop.