Monica had always been the type to stay in the background. She wasn't exactly invisible, but she wasn't the kind of girl who stood out either. She had a small friend circle, a decent record in academics, and a spot on the school's high jump team. Jumping made her feel light—like she was flying, even if just for a second.
Unlike some of her classmates who enjoyed the spotlight, Monica preferred observing from the sidelines. She liked watching people, guessing what they were thinking, piecing together their personalities from the little things they did. That's how she started noticing Lynx.
Lynx was the kind of guy who didn't try to be cool but somehow just was. He never spoke unless necessary, always had his hands stuffed into his pockets, and carried an air of exhaustion around him. He looked like he was perpetually sleepy, his eyes half-lidded as if the world exhausted him. Teachers never called on him, classmates rarely included him, and he didn't seem to mind any of it.
Monica never thought much about him until one afternoon when her friend, Nana, nudged her during lunch.
"Hey, don't you think it's kinda sad how Lynx is always alone?" Nana asked, chewing on her sandwich.
Monica followed her gaze. Sure enough, Lynx was sitting at the farthest table, head resting against his hand, barely touching his lunch. He looked composed, but now that Nana mentioned it, there was something a little lonely about him.
"I mean, it's not like he looks sad or anything," Monica pointed out.
"Yeah, but still! It wouldn't hurt to at least talk to him, right?" Nana grinned. "Who knows, maybe he's actually nice?"
Monica shrugged. Talking to people she wasn't familiar with wasn't exactly her thing. But Nana, being the kind of person who always dragged her along into new things, didn't give her much choice. Before Monica could protest, Nana was already heading toward Lynx's table, motioning for her to follow.
Lynx barely reacted when Nana plopped down across from him. Monica sat down hesitantly beside her.
"Hey, Lynx!" Nana greeted cheerfully.
He blinked at her lazily. "Hey."
Monica tried not to feel awkward as Nana continued. "We were just thinking, you always sit alone. Do you like being by yourself?"
Lynx shrugged. "I guess."
Monica exchanged a glance with Nana. Well, that wasn't much of an answer. Nana, unfazed, kept going. "We just thought maybe you'd wanna join us sometimes. Y'know, so you won't be alone all the time."
Lynx's eyes flickered between them. For a second, Monica thought he might actually consider it, but then he simply said, "I'm fine."
That was it. No thanks, no smile, no reaction. Just two words.
Nana sighed dramatically, leaning toward Monica. "Wow. Talking to him is like talking to a brick wall."
Lynx didn't even deny it. Monica couldn't help but laugh.