Chapter 3 The Silent Observer

At school, Zola was the epitome of an introverted overthinker. She preferred the quiet corner of the library, where she could lose herself in books and her thoughts. Her best friend, Lily, was her complete opposite...outgoing, confident, and always dressed in the latest fashion trends. Lily, with her radiant smile and long, braided hair, had a way of bringing out the best in Zola.

Lily: "Zola, you need to get out of this library and join the real world."

Zola: "But the real world is so... unpredictable."

Lily: "That's the fun part! Come on, let's go to the café. I heard they have a new flavor of bubble tea."

Zola: "Bubble tea? That does sound intriguing. But what if I don't like it?"

Lily: "Then I'll drink it and you can get something else. Problem solved."

Zola's keen attention to detail made her a top student. She excelled in her classes, often surprising her teachers with her insightful observations. However, her overthinking also made her hyper-aware of the judgmental glances and whispers from her classmates.

The Bullying Incident

As they walked through the hallway, a group of girls, led by the notorious Jessica blocked their path. Jessica smirked, flipping her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder.

Jessica: "Look who finally left the library. What's the matter, Zola? Ran out of books to hide behind?"

Zola tensed, gripping the strap of her backpack. Lily, however, stepped forward, her usual playful demeanor replaced with sharp protectiveness.

Lily: "Wow, Jessica, did you practice that insult in the mirror? Because it was weak."

Jessica's face twisted in annoyance.

Jessica: "Mind your own business, Lily. No one asked you."

Lily: "Actually, you're in our way, so yeah, it is my business. Move."

Jessica scoffed but stepped aside, shooting Zola one last sneer before walking off with her friends.

Zola (softly): "Thanks."

Lily: "Anytime. Those girls are just jealous because you're smarter than all of them combined."

Zola smiled faintly, but her relief was short-lived.

The Unwanted Attention

As they entered the canteen, a football bounced toward them, nearly hitting Zola's shoulder. A deep voice called out.

Kevin: "Hey, watch out!"

A tall, broad-shouldered guy jogged over, his golden-brown hair slightly messy from practice. Kevin Matthews...star football player, known for his charm, his flings, and his ability to make any girl swoon.

He flashed Zola a grin.

Kevin: "Sorry about that. You okay?"

Zola stiffened, avoiding his gaze.

Zola: "I'm fine."

Kevin: "You're Zola, right? The girl who aced Mr. Henderson's impossible math test?"

She blinked, surprised he knew her name.

Zola: "Uh... maybe."

Kevin: "That's cool. I barely passed that thing." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Lily nudged Zola with her elbow, eyebrows raised in approval.

Lily (whispering): "Oh my God, he's talking to you."

Zola shot her a warning look.

Kevin cleared his throat.

Kevin: "So... you always eat lunch in the library?"

Zola: "Sometimes."

Kevin: "You should sit with us sometime. The team's table is right over there." He gestured to the loud, crowded section where his teammates were laughing and shoving each other.

Zola: "I don't think..."

Lily (cutting in): "She'd love to!"

Zola glared at her.

Kevin (grinning): "Great. See you around, Zola."

He jogged back to his friends, leaving Zola flustered.

The Aftermath

As soon as they sat down, Lily squealed.

Lily: "Kevin Matthews just asked you to sit with him! Do you know how many girls would kill for that?"

Zola: "I'm not interested."

Lily: "Why not? He's hot, popular, and he noticed you!"

Zola: "Exactly. He's popular. And a player. And loud. And..."

Lily: "And totally into you!"

Zola sighed.

Zola: "Lily, he's not my type. At all."

Lily: "Then who is your type?"

Zola hesitated, her mind drifting to him...the quiet guy she worked with..., the one who made her melt when he spoke. But she wasn't ready to admit that yet.

Zola: "That's a story for another day."

Lily groaned.

Lily: "You're impossible."

Zola smiled, pulling out her notebook to write in later.

Diary Entry: February 15th (Evening)

"Dear Diary,

School feels like a battlefield some days. I'm always on high alert, watching and analyzing every little detail. Today, Jessica and her friends tried to get under my skin again, but Lily shut them down. I don't know what I'd do without her.

Then there's Kevin. He's... persistent. I don't know why he's suddenly paying attention to me, but I'm not interested. He's everything I'm not... loud, reckless, careless with people's feelings. Lily thinks I should give him a chance, but I know better.

My eyes are on someone else. Someone nicer. Someone who actually sees me. But that's a story for another day.

Yours always,

Zola."

Zola closed her leather-bound diary with a soft thud, her fingertips tracing the embossed cover one last time before setting it aside. The pages still carried the faint scent of vanilla, a gift from Lily last Christmas...and for a moment, she simply breathed it in, as if the sweetness could soothe her restless mind.

She tucked the diary into her side drawer, beneath a stack of well-loved novels, sealing away her thoughts like secrets in the dark. But before climbing into bed, she knelt beside it, clasping her hands and bowing her head.

"Thank You, God, for today," she whispered. "For Lily, for keeping me safe, even when things felt hard. Please watch over me tonight, and over Mom, Dad and my brother too. Help me not to overthink tomorrow before it even comes. Amen."

A quiet peace settled over her as she stood, the prayer lingering like a shield against the night. Outside, the wind murmured against her window, and the distant hum of the city was a lullaby she knew by heart. She switched off her lamp, letting darkness wrap around her like an old, familiar blanket.

For the first time all day, her mind wasn't racing. It was just still.