My heart pounds in my chest, the sound of it almost louder than the soft waves lapping against the shore. Jack's voice still echoes in my head. "What's that over there?"

I press my back against the jagged rocks, barely daring to breathe. The cool water wraps around my tail, but there's no comfort in it this time—just tension, cold and sharp. My body feels stiff, every muscle wound tight. Did he see me?

I bite my lip, sinking lower, just below the surface of the water, my eyes barely peeking above. Jack is still standing there, his gaze scanning the horizon, the football dangling loosely in his hand. He's looking. He knows something's off.

Beside him, Brent and Eli continue their conversation, completely unaware. Eli's carefree laughter cuts through the air, but Jack... Jack is different. His brow furrows, and there's something in his expression that makes my stomach flip—curiosity mixed with determination. Like he's searching for something, and I can't shake the feeling that what he's looking for is me.

I sink back lower, my tail flicking nervously beneath the water. I need to get out of here. I glance toward my car parked at the edge of the beach, but it feels impossibly far away. My tail still glistens beneath the fading light, scales catching the last rays of the setting sun. I can't transform yet. Not with them so close.

Jack takes a step toward the water, his gaze narrowing. Panic shoots through me, my breath catching in my throat. I quickly duck beneath the surface, holding my breath. The water is calm, but my mind is anything but. Please, don't come any closer.

My lungs start to burn as the muffled sounds of their conversation filter through the water. Seconds stretch out like hours. Then, Jack's voice again, even closer this time. "You sure no one's out here? I swear I saw something."

No, no, no.

Brent's response is casual, "Dude, it's just the wind or something. Relax. We're the only ones here."

But Jack doesn't sound convinced. "Yeah, maybe..." His words trail off, and I can almost feel his eyes lingering on the water, just above me.

I need to move—now.

I cautiously peer above the surface again, just in time to see Jack turn back toward Brent and Eli, finally giving up on his search. Relief floods through me, but I know it's short-lived. I still need to get to my car.

I scan the beach, searching for a path that would give me enough cover. The rocks. If I can just make it to the other side, I'll have a little more time for my tail to dry. But it's risky. One wrong move and they'll see me.

I take a deep breath, my chest tight with nerves, and slip back into the water. My tail flicks as I push off toward the rocks, trying to stay low and silent. The water is shallow here, and every movement sends ripples across the surface, but I have no choice. Just keep low. Don't make a sound.

I trail my fingers along the rough edges of the rocks, staying close to the shoreline. My eyes never leave Jack, Brent, and Eli, who are still too close—too close.

Finally, I reach the far side of the rocks and pull myself up onto the sand, hidden behind a jagged outcropping. My scales shimmer faintly in the dim light. I groan softly, running my hand over them. Come on, dry faster.

But it's not happening quickly enough. I don't have time for this.

I glance toward my tail, the shimmering purple scales glistening under the fading light. I can't transform back until it's dry. I stretch out my hand, closing it into a tight fist. Hydro-Thermokinesis. The familiar warmth stirs beneath my skin, and I press my palm against my tail. Steam rises as the heat intensifies, drying the water clinging to the scales.

Faster. Come on, faster.

The water begins to evaporate, little wisps of steam floating into the cool evening air. The heat builds, the pressure tight, and my hand trembles from the effort. Just a little more.

Finally, the shimmer of my tail begins to fade, and I feel the familiar shift as my legs return. Human again.

My clothes—my light sweater, leggings, and boots—reappear, clinging slightly to my skin as they dry along with my body. I let out a shaky breath, the power ebbing away. I'm back, but I'm not safe yet.

Invisibility. It's my only option now.

I clench my fist, drawing a slow, steady breath, and move my hand in a half-circle, summoning the power. A soft shimmer surrounds me, and in an instant, I disappear into a bubble of invisibility. I can't stay invisible forever, but maybe—just maybe—long enough to stay hidden.

I glance out from my hiding spot, eyes locking on Jack. He's only a few yards away now, the football still in his hand, forgotten. He's too close. If I move, he'll see me.

I close my eyes for a second, steadying my breathing. I need to wait. Just a little longer.

Then, the sound of footsteps crunching in the sand. No.

I hold my breath as Jack steps closer, his eyes still scanning the rocks. Does he see me? My heart races, my body tense. The invisibility bubble is holding, but I can feel it weakening with every passing second. Not yet.

Suddenly, Brent's voice breaks the silence. "Jack! Come on, toss the ball back!"

Jack pauses, glancing toward Brent, but then his eyes flicker back to the rocks—back toward where I'm hiding. He's so close. Too close.

I stay frozen, barely breathing. Just turn around. Please, turn around.

Finally, with a sigh, Jack turns and jogs back toward Brent and Eli. Relief washes over me, but it's brief.

As they start tossing the football again, I know my window is closing. I need to get to my car before the invisibility fades completely.

But just as I'm about to move, the ball slips from Brent's hands, bouncing across the sand... right toward the rocks where I'm hiding.

No.

I watch, frozen, as the football rolls to a stop just a few feet from where I'm crouched. Way too close.

Jack starts walking toward it, casually retrieving the ball—but he's heading straight for me. My heart slams against my chest, and I press myself tighter against the rocks, the invisibility flickering. He's almost here. A few more steps, and he'll see me.

This is it.

Just as Jack bends down to grab the ball, my invisibility bubble falters, flickering for a split second. No, no, no. Stay hidden.

I hold my breath, but before Jack can notice anything, Brent's voice calls out again. "Jack, hurry up! You're holding up the game!"

Jack grabs the ball, pausing for just a second, his gaze flicking briefly toward the rocks before he stands up and jogs back toward Brent and Eli.

I exhale sharply. That was too close. Way too close.

With my heart still racing, I carefully slip out from behind the rocks and make my way to my car, the invisibility fading completely as I reach the parking lot. The evening air feels heavy around me as I slide into the driver's seat, my hands trembling as I fumble with the keys.

That was too close.

I start the engine, and as I pull out of the lot, I glance in the rearview mirror. Jack is still standing on the beach, the football in his hand, but he's not looking at the rocks anymore.

He's looking at me.

A shiver runs down my spine, but I shake off the feeling. He doesn't know anything. He didn't see me. My secret is still safe. I'm safe.

As the beach fades behind me, my heart slowly starts to settle, but the memory of Jack's gaze lingers in my mind. I take a deep breath, pushing the thought away. For now, everything is okay.

When I get home, the quiet of the house is a welcome relief. No lights on. No cars in the driveway. Just me.

I kick off my boots and flop down on the couch, grabbing the remote. Netflix will help me relax. I scroll through the list of shows, letting the familiar noise fill the silence. Anything to distract me from the day's events.

For the first time since the beach, I let myself feel a little relieved. Jack didn't see anything. He doesn't know about my secret. And as long as I stay careful, I can keep it that way.

I pull the blanket up around me and sink into the cushions, the tension slowly melting away as I lose myself in the episodes playing on the screen.

Relief washed over me the moment my eyes opened. I'd made it through the night. The weight of my secret still tucked safely away where it belonged—far from Jack's knowing gaze. For now, at least, I could breathe easier, no close calls haunting me today.

When I get to school, the familiar routine of lockers and hallways makes it feel like things are returning to normal. Maybe things are settling down. But as I approach my locker, I notice Eli leaning against it, waiting for me, with that easy grin of his already in place.

I stop for a second, my heart skipping a beat. Here we go again.

"Morning, Aria," Eli greets me, his tone light, teasing, as usual.

"Morning," I reply, opening my locker and pretending not to notice his amused expression. Why is he always waiting for me?

Eli leans casually against the locker, his gaze steady as I fumble with my books. "You think you're flying under the radar, but not everyone's as blind as you think, Aria. Some of us can see right through that whole 'invisibility act' of yours.

I freeze, my hand pausing for a second. What is he talking about? "What do you mean?"

He chuckles, crossing his arms and looking way too pleased with himself. "Come on, Aria. You've got a crush on Jack. It's pretty obvious."

I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I slam the locker door shut, glaring at him. "What makes you think that? Who told you?"

Eli shrugs, not the least bit fazed by my reaction. "No one told me. You're just not as invisible as you think. You might think you're blending in, but some people are more observant than you give them credit for." He pauses, then grins wider. "My girlfriend, for example. She noticed you right away. Said you had that look."

"That look?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"You know the one," Eli says, smirking. "The look people get when they're staring at someone they like but trying to pretend they're not. You've been admiring Jack from afar, and you may think you've been subtle, but people notice things."

I cross my arms, feeling exposed. I thought I was good at hiding this... "So, you've been spying on me?"

Eli laughs. "Not spying. But like I said, some people just see through the invisibility. My girlfriend loves people-watching. She saw it before I even became friends with Brent and Jack."

I groan, rolling my eyes. "Okay, fine. You caught me. Just... don't tell anyone, alright?"

Eli raises his hands in mock surrender. "Your secret's safe with me, don't worry. But if you need a wingman, I'm here."

I shake my head, sighing. "I don't need a wingman, Eli. And I don't want anything to happen with Jack. Just... leave it."

Eli's smile falters slightly, but he doesn't push. "Alright, alright. But if you change your mind..." He trails off, raising his eyebrows suggestively before backing off.

I start to walk away, but something makes me pause. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "So how did Brent agree to let you into their duo? It's always been just Jack and Brent."

For the first time, Eli's confident grin slips, replaced by a thoughtful look. He shrugs, crossing his arms. "Brent's got his own stuff going on. People think Jack's the complicated one, but Brent... well, let's just say he's not the only one who has secrets."

Secrets? The word hangs between us, making me feel a sudden, strange connection to Brent that I hadn't felt before. Secrets. Just like me.

My expression must have given something away because Eli's eyes sharpen, his gaze locking onto my face. "What's with that look?" he asks, curiosity flashing across his features. "Does that word hit close to home for you?"

I blink, trying to act nonchalant, but it's too late. Eli's already caught onto something. "No, it's nothing," I say quickly, shifting on my feet. "I just... didn't expect that. I thought Brent was an open book."

Eli studies me for a second longer, his grin returning, but now it's more subdued—less teasing, more intrigued. "Brent's not the only one who's good at keeping secrets, huh? You seem a little... I don't know, familiar with the concept."

I feel a flicker of panic. Does he know? No, he couldn't. "It's nothing," I say firmly, forcing a smile. "Really."

Eli doesn't push, but the curiosity in his eyes lingers. He cocks his head, clearly not convinced but willing to let it slide. For now. "Alright," he says, drawing the word out slowly. "But I'm starting to think you're more interesting than you let on."

I grab my books and start walking away, my heart beating faster than it should. I have to be more careful.

As I walk down the hallway, I can feel Eli's eyes on me, his curiosity growing by the second. He's playful and easygoing on the surface, but now I know that underneath, he's a lot more observant than I gave him credit for.

As I walk down the hall toward my class, I catch sight of Jack in the distance, laughing with Brent and Eli. The sound of his laughter drifts through the noise of the crowded hallway, and for a second, I slow my pace, watching them. They're so at ease, so comfortable in each other's company. Like they've never had to hide anything.

I glance down at my hands, the familiar nervous fidget returning. No one really sees me. Not the real me, anyway. I tug at the sleeve of my sweater, hiding the slight tremor in my fingers. Jack doesn't know it, but he's safer that way—safer from the mess that comes with getting close to me.

But then, out of nowhere, Jack's eyes flick toward me. Our gazes meet for a second, and I quickly look away, my heart skipping a beat. Does he see me?

The thought lingers in my mind as I keep walking, my feet moving faster, the sound of my sneakers tapping against the tiled floor. Of course, he doesn't. He can't. I don't want him to. Not really.

But the truth settles in my chest like a weight I can't shake. I wish he could. I wish I could be seen.

The day drags on, and by the time Jack and I meet up at the library for more work on our project, I'm feeling drained. I sit down across from him, flipping through my notes, trying to focus on anything but how awkward this feels.

Every time Jack asks me a question about the project, I deflect, keeping the conversation surface-level. He's starting to notice, I can tell, but he doesn't push. He just goes along with whatever I say, his eyes flicking to me occasionally like he's waiting for something more.

And the whispers don't help. Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing—people talking about how something's going on between Jack and me.

By the time I hear another group of girls whispering behind me, I've had enough.

I spin around, my voice sharp. "Let me straighten out the rumors. Jack and I are not an item. You guys can have him. He doesn't do serious relationships."

The words come out before I can stop them, and when I turn back around, my heart drops. Jack, Brent, and Eli are standing a few feet away, having witnessed my entire outburst.

Eli's smirk is unmistakable, but Jack's expression is harder to read—caught off guard, a little surprised. There's something else there, too, something I can't quite place.

I sigh, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "Jack, put these rumors to rest. Tell them there's nothing between us."

Jack nods slowly. "Yeah, sure. There's nothing going on."

But his voice doesn't sound as sure as it should. And when I glance at him, I see something in his eyes—something that makes me feel even more exposed. No. It's impossible.

I push the thought aside, brushing it off. Jack doesn't feel that way.

I grab my things and walk away, trying to ignore the weight of Jack's gaze following me.

After the exhausting day at school, all I want is some space to breathe. The whispers, the constant feeling of being watched—it's suffocating. When I get home, the first thing I do is toss my bag on the bed and pull off my glasses, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

I glance at myself in the mirror, seeing the familiar reflection staring back at me—Aria Morales, the quiet girl who fades into the background. But that's not who I am, not really.

I grab my camera, flipping it on as I stand in front of the mirror. The lens captures my reflection, the world through my own eyes.

"Hey, guys," I say softly, trying to shake off the frustration from school. "It's me again. Just got home from a long day. And yeah... I kind of lost it today. You ever feel like people are constantly talking about you behind your back? Well, that was my day. But whatever, right?"

I pause, looking at myself, feeling the weight of the day start to lift. "Anyway, I thought I'd do something fun for a change. I'm going shopping. And no, not for more graphic tees," I add with a smirk. "Today, I'm going to try something different."

With that, I stop recording, setting the camera down as I dig through my closet for something new. I pull out a soft, oversized sweater, a pair of skinny jeans, and boots that I haven't worn in forever. I look at them for a moment, then smile to myself. Why not?

After changing, I sit down at my vanity and pull out a small bag of makeup. I don't wear it often, but today feels like a day to switch things up. A little mascara, a touch of blush, and some lip gloss. When I look at myself again, I barely recognize the girl staring back at me.

This is the me no one knows.

I grab my camera again and start recording as I head out the door, ready to leave the weight of school behind.

The mall is busier than I expected for a weekday evening, but it's exactly what I need—people everywhere, the buzz of chatter, the background noise that keeps my mind off everything else. I blend into the crowd, no one paying me any attention, and for once, I feel free.

I hold my camera up, vlogging as I weave through the different stores. "Alright, guys, so I'm thinking about trying on a few new things. Maybe a fall look? Something cozy but cute. Let's see what I find."

As I step into H&M, the smell of fresh fabric and the hum of pop music fills the air. Racks of sweaters, jackets, and scarves stretch out before me, and I feel a surge of excitement. This is my space. No whispers, no pressure—just me.

I browse through the clothes, holding up different options in front of the mirror and recording small clips for my vlog. "What do you guys think?" I ask the camera, showing off a cream-colored cardigan and a plaid scarf. "Too basic? Or just right?"

I try on a few different outfits, filming quick shots of each one in the dressing room, spinning around in front of the mirror. The camera captures my smile, the way I feel when I'm not that girl from school, the one hiding in the background.

After what feels like hours of shopping, I finally settle on a few cozy sweaters, a new pair of jeans, and a cute fall jacket. I pay for my items, chatting briefly with the cashier, then step back out into the mall, bags in hand and a satisfied smile on my face.

As I walk out of H&M, the cool evening air of the open-air mall hits my face, and I feel lighter, more confident. My bags sway at my sides as I head toward the parking lot, still vlogging as I go.

"So that was fun," I say, holding the camera up. "I've got some new fall clothes, and I'll definitely be showing you guys more later. But for now, I think—"

I stop mid-sentence, almost bumping into someone. My heart skips a beat, and I look up, startled, to see Jack standing in front of me.

Jack?

I blink, my camera still held awkwardly in my hand, but Jack's expression is what really gets me. He's staring at me, and not in the casual, friendly way he usually does at school. There's a flicker of surprise in his eyes, maybe even confusion.

I freeze for a moment, suddenly hyper-aware of how different I must look. No glasses, no graphic tees or jeans. I'm not the Aria he's used to seeing every day.

Jack's eyes flick over me, taking in my outfit, the makeup, the bags in my hands. "Aria?"

Before I can respond, I notice Brent and Eli standing just behind him, and they're both looking at me with the same surprised expressions. Brent's eyebrows shoot up, and Eli's mouth quirks into a grin, like he's about to say something teasing.

I can feel my cheeks heating up, my heart racing. Great. Now they're all staring.

"Uh... hey," I manage to mumble, stepping back slightly.

Jack blinks again, clearly trying to process what he's seeing. "I didn't even recognize you," he says, his tone soft, almost... impressed?

Brent elbows Eli, and they both exchange looks before Brent smirks. "Wow, Aria. Didn't know you had this side to you."

Eli snickers, folding his arms across his chest. "Yeah, who knew? You clean up nice."

I roll my eyes, my face burning under their stares. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," I mutter, shifting the bags in my hands. This is so awkward.

But Jack isn't laughing. He's still looking at me, and I can't quite read his expression. There's something there—something I didn't expect to see. For a moment, the teasing stops, and it's just the two of us standing there in the middle of the mall, him seeing me in a way he never has before.

I clear my throat, breaking the silence. "Anyway, I should go. Got stuff to do."

I turn to walk away, but I can still feel their eyes on me, especially Jack's. The weight of his gaze lingers long after I disappear into the crowd.

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A/N: Please comment and vote. Feedback will be nice as well.