I should've known things weren't going to stay calm for long. Popularity — or whatever you call it when you suddenly stop being invisible — comes with baggage. And Darby? She was the heaviest piece I didn't want to carry.
It started small. Glances. Cold shoulders. A sharp comment here and there. Then Darby began showing up wherever James and I were — classes, cafeteria, even the library (which honestly should've been a sacred no-go zone). She always had that perfect smile, the one that said, I see you, but also don't forget who rules this place.
One afternoon after biology lab, James and I were walking back when Darby practically jumped in front of us.
"Hey, James!" she chirped, turning her smile on me like a spotlight. "Nice to see you're finally making new friends. I hear Charlotte's quite the company."
James looked a bit uncomfortable — a rare thing — and I felt my cheeks heat up.
Darby turned to me, eyes narrowing slightly. "So, Charlotte, what's it like being the new 'it' girl? Must be nice."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's… different. But I'm just me."
She laughed, that sharp, cutting kind of laugh. "Sure you are."
After she left, James sighed. "She's intense."
"No kidding," I muttered, watching her walk away like she owned the campus.
But then — the real drama started.
James began spending more time with me. Not just in class, but hanging out after, walking me to my dorm, texting me late at night about everything from stupid memes to serious stuff. I was floating — until whispers started.
One day, Sophie nudged me, lowering her voice. "Hey, did you hear what people are saying?"
I shook my head. "No. What?"
"That you and James are… you know."
I rolled my eyes. "What, dating?"
Sophie nodded, smirking. "That's the rumor."
My stomach did a weird flip. "But it's not true."
"I know," she said. "But that doesn't stop everyone else from thinking it."
The next few days were a whirlwind. Darby's icy glares got worse, and the rumor mill churned faster than ever. I even overheard some girls whispering about me in the hallway, guessing if I'd 'taken over' James like some dramatic soap opera.
One afternoon, Darby cornered me near the lockers. Her voice was low but venomous.
"Careful, Charlotte. You might think you're winning, but this isn't over."
I stood my ground, heart pounding but voice steady. "I'm not trying to win anything. I'm just living my life."
She smirked like she was handing me a ticking time bomb. "We'll see."
That night, I texted Sophie.
"How do you deal with someone who hates you for just existing?"
Her reply came quickly.
"With patience, killer makeup, and a plan."
I laughed, realizing my journey was just getting started — and I wasn't alone anymore.
After Darby's ominous warning, I realized I couldn't just sit back and hope things would blow over. Luckily, Sophie was already two steps ahead — armed with sass, style, and a plan.
We met up in our dorm room one evening, the perfect war room: posters on the walls, half-empty coffee mugs, and our laptops open to "How to Handle Frenemies 101."
Sophie plopped down on her bed, twirling a strand of her hair. "First rule: Don't give her the satisfaction of seeing you sweat."
"I'm trying," I sighed. "But she's relentless."
"Okay, then rule two: Build your tribe. The more friends you have, the less power she has."
I nodded, remembering Maya and Andre. "I've been thinking about that too."
Sophie grinned. "Good. Because next time Darby tries to show up like she owns the place, you'll have a whole squad ready to back you up."
We brainstormed ways to strengthen my social circle — inviting Maya and Andre to join us for lunch, joining more clubs, and maybe even organizing a study group that Darby couldn't crash.
"And makeup," Sophie added with a wink. "A little highlight and confidence boost never hurt anyone."
I laughed. "Already covered on that one."
Sophie pulled out her phone. "Also, social media. We control the narrative. If people see you happy, confident, and surrounded by friends, it'll shut down the rumors."
I wasn't much for posting selfies, but I had to admit, Sophie had a point. Maybe it was time to show the world the real me — not the invisible girl I used to be.
"Alright," I said, feeling a spark of determination. "Let's do this. For me. For us."
Sophie raised her coffee mug. "To girl power and taking back what's ours."
I clinked my mug to hers, feeling more ready than ever.
Because this time, I wasn't just invisible anymore. I was visible, and I was not going anywhere.