The hallway felt colder than usual as I headed toward the admin block. My shoes made a quiet squeak on the tiles, and every step sounded louder in my chest than in the hallway. Students moved in pairs and groups, chatting, laughing, tossing jokes around like it was just another normal day. I didn't feel like smiling back.
Something about the air felt off. Like the kind of silence that comes after a heavy conversation—clean but uncomfortable.
When I stepped into the office, Mr. Smith was behind his desk, reading a paper. Across from him sat a girl I hadn't seen before. Fair, slim, her ponytail tight and neat. She looked calm, like she'd been here forever.
Mr. Smith looked up and smiled.
"Ah, Olivia. Good. This is Sara. She's transferring into your class. Can you take her there? Help her settle in?"
I nodded. "Okay."
Sara stood and offered a soft smile. "Hi. I've already heard about you."
I raised a brow. "Really?"
"Yeah. They said you're the brightest in school. And... that you don't talk much."
I gave a small nod. "Come on."
The walk back to class felt longer than usual. Sara didn't talk much either, but she kept glancing at me like she was trying to read something I hadn't written.
As we walked, I noticed how calm she looked. Her shoulders didn't slump like someone nervous. She wasn't clinging to me or looking around like she was lost. I wondered if she always carried that quiet confidence—or if it was just for show.
We got to the classroom. I opened the door, stepped inside first.
"This is Sara," I said. My voice was flat. Not angry. Not warm. Just... there.
I went straight to my seat.
Andrew leaned toward me. "Are you okay, my Olivia?"
I glanced at him. "I'm not your Olivia."
He pulled back, eyebrows raised. "Alright."
Sara took the seat behind me. She didn't say anything at first. Just started arranging her books like she'd been here for months.
When the bell rang for break, I started packing my things slowly. Sara tapped my shoulder.
"Hey. Want to sit with us? We're eating near the courtyard."
I shook my head. "I'll meet you guys later."
She smiled. "Cool. See you there."
I watched her walk away—her ponytail swinging lightly. I didn't move right away. Just stood by my locker, staring at the half-open window.
Minutes passed. I finally stepped out and made my way toward the courtyard.
The breeze outside was soft. Leaves rustled on the pavement. Students were everywhere—sitting in groups, tossing chips into their mouths, waving their phones around. Voices layered over each other like a playlist on shuffle.
Then I saw them.
Lola was sitting with Sara under the shade of the tree. A couple of other classmates leaned in, talking and laughing. One girl pointed at Sara's shoes. Another was already trying to follow her on social media. Even Andrew was there, throwing his head back at something she said.
I waved.
No one noticed.
I waved again, slower.
Still nothing.
The space between us felt wider than it really was. Like I was watching my own friends from the outside of a glass box.
It was strange—seeing them laugh so freely without me. Like they'd forgotten I was even part of the picture. Maybe they had. Or maybe... I was the one slowly stepping out of it.
I moved a little closer. Close enough to hear someone say, "She's actually really cool. Not like what I heard."
Another added, "She's not proud at all. Very easy to talk to."
Someone giggled. "Definitely not like some people."
I turned before they could see my face.
"Hey, Olivia."
A girl I barely knew walked up beside me. I think her name was June. She pushed her hair back and spoke quietly.
"You know her dad died last year, right? Sara. Cancer. Her mum's a cleaner now, from what we heard. It's just her and her mum."
I blinked. "Oh. Sorry to hear that."
June nodded. "Yeah."
There was a pause. I cleared my throat. "She's settling fine though. Lola and Andrew are really helping out."
June gave me a sideways look, then smiled a little. "I believe that. Sara's too wonderful to just blend in. Even when she's quiet, there's something about her that fills the room."
I didn't reply. I wasn't sure how to.
She left me there.
My food stayed in my bag. I just sat on the edge of a bench, away from everyone.
Later that afternoon, Mr. Ben walked into class with sheets of paper.
"Quick quiz," he said. "Ten questions. Nothing too hard."
The usual groans filled the room, but everyone took it seriously.
I finished quickly. Andrew tried peeking but I covered my sheet with my arm.
"You're no fun," he whispered.
"You're no quiet," I replied.
He laughed under his breath.
The next morning, the results were posted.
Olivia – 97.
Sara – 94.
I stared at the board. A few students had already gathered, reading the scores aloud.
"Wow, she's smart."
"She just got here."
"Only three marks behind Olivia."
"She really deserves to be in our class."
I walked over slowly. Sara was already surrounded by a few classmates, all smiling and patting her shoulder.
I stepped closer and forced a small smile. "Congrats. You did really well."
She looked surprised, then smiled back. "Thanks. That means a lot coming from you."
I nodded, but inside, my chest was tightening.
I told myself it didn't matter. A three-point difference wasn't the end of the world. But part of me... part of me was already spiraling. What if next time it was five? Or ten?
I wanted to be proud of her. I really did.
But all I could think about was how quickly she'd fit in. How easily she seemed to impress everyone. And how I was suddenly... not the brightest in the room anymore.
Lola, who had been laughing beside her, turned and grinned. "You guys don't understand. Olivia here always gets the perfect score. She's like... unbeatable."
Someone snorted nearby. "Usually. But not today."
I glanced at them, then looked away.
Lola stood up and walked over to me, touching my shoulder. "Hey, are you okay? You've been acting weird since yesterday."
"I'm fine," I said.
She touched my forehead like she was checking my temperature. "Are you sure you took your vitamins? Did you eat?"
"Yes, Mum," I muttered, trying to sound playful, but it came out flat.
Lola laughed but narrowed her eyes a little. "Seriously though, are you good?"
"I said I'm fine," I snapped, sharper than I meant to.
She stepped back, her smile fading.
I didn't wait for anyone to say anything else. I turned and walked off, not in a hurry, but not slow either.
Just enough to make it clear I wanted space.