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the sink.
    “What was that?” Mom glances up from her nails and narrows her eyes.
    “Nothing.”  
    I don’t think I’d be surprised if he does have another family. 
    I put on a grey hat I’d knit a long time ago with Nan and adjusted it, tucking in my bangs. I lift my bag over my shoulder and push my headphones onto my head. I don’t say goodbye to my mom. I never do. 
    ~
    The school looks the same as it did last year, and the year before. Eleventh grade won’t be any different than the 10th, I’m sure. We’re not the youngest, not the oldest, just there. No need to panic. I am alone, but that’s okay. I’m always alone. Except for Janna, who usually helps me through first days. I wonder why she hasn’t text me back yet. 
    Girls giggle behind me and despite myself I turn to see what it’s about. I don’t even notice the girls because my eyes are glued to a black and silver motorbike and it’s tall, tattoo-covered rider. I try to turn away but he sees me and I freeze. No one ever sees me.
     Lachlan hangs his helmet on the handlebars of his bike and reaches into his back pocket. He pulls out my hat and sets it on his head. His dark curls flatten around his face and hang over his thick eyebrows. The intensity of his gaze makes me shiver, but not in a good way. He’s wearing jeans, a white t-shirt that’s frayed around one arm and a leather wristband on the other tattoo-covered arm. I had heard once that he has to wear the band because, whatever is tattooed underneath, the school won’t let him leave it uncovered. But I hear a lot of things about Lachlan. Most of them straight up ridiculous. He can’t be a drug King Pin, he’s in high school. I also highly doubt he’s as big of a player as people say, with college girls none the less. Why would any college girl want a senior in high school? 
    The giggling girls snap me out of my thoughts and I realize I’m staring.
    Lachlan walks up the concrete pathway and half his mouth turns into a grin. I look behind me. Yup. He’s grinning at me.
    I should just walk away but instead, like the awesomely cool person I am not, I stand and stare.  
    “Talia, right?” he asks pointing. I nod. I’m blushing. He puts his hand on my shoulder, “Thanks for the hat. Make sure Gram pays you for it, okay?” 
    He winks and disappears into the school. My face is on fire, not because Lachlan had talked to me, but because the giggle trio are staring with mouths open. 
    “You gave him that hat?” The tallest blonde one asked. My face burns hotter. People don’t notice me. People aren’t supposed to notice me. 
    “Actually, I made it. His Grandma stole it from me.” Why did I just say that? This is why I stay invisible.
    The three girls exchange a sideways glance and then frown in unison. I don’t wait for them to respond. My breathing speeds up. 
    Not again.  
    I switch direction quickly and try not to sprint around the side of the huge brick school. Chills travel the length of my body and my hands are shaking. I round the corner to find a spot to just stop and breathe. I walk straight in on a make-out session. 
    I stop, alright. Everything stops. Time stops. The shaking stops. 
    I gawk at the two startled faces that stare back at me. It seems like hours before I recognize them. 
    “Deacon?” I ask. A stupid question because I am well aware it’s Deacon. 
    Why do people ask stupid questions?
    “Talia!” Janna shoves Deacon away from her. Her eyes are wide and there are tears sliding down her cheeks.
    “Talia, babe...” Deacon starts but I raise my hand. Janna slides down the wall until she’s sitting in the dirt. Her shoulders are shaking. Her hand is over her mouth. She refuses to look at me. I turn back to Deacon.
    “Nope.” 
    It’s all I can think of to say. I turn on my heel and walk away. 
    I should be panicking. This is the perfect moment to panic, but the tricky thing about panic attacks is they never happen when they are supposed to. I