Chapter 1 : The Girl Who Stayed Invisible
Brooklyn buzzed outside her window, but inside Hazel Morgan’s world, everything was quiet. Just the soft scratching of pencil against paper, and the gentle breathing of her golden retriever, Zephyr, curled at her feet.
Hazel leaned over her sketchpad, drawing the outline of a city skyline—one she saw every day from her bedroom window. But this version… it looked lonelier. Like how she felt most days.
It was a Tuesday morning, the kind where most college students were already half-asleep in class. But Hazel was home. Again.
Classes were in-person now. And she could go. But she didn’t. Not today. Not when she knew the stares would follow her from the campus gate to the lecture hall. Not when whispers would fill the air like smoke.
"Is she really a med student?"
"What’s the point if she can’t even walk?"
Her phone buzzed on the table. A message from her mom:
“Don’t forget to eat, love. I left your favorite sandwich in the fridge. Text me if you need anything. ❤️”
Hazel smiled softly, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Her parents were amazing. Too amazing sometimes. Always hovering, always checking in—as if she'd break into pieces if they let her breathe on her own.
Zephyr’s tail wagged lazily as she sat up straighter, pushing a curl out of her face.
Unknown number:
“Hi, is this Hazel? I’m Adam. We’ve been paired for the psych x med research project.”
Hazel blinked.
Oh. The project.
Crap.
She’d forgotten about that totally random crossover elective she signed up for last semester. And now she had to work with a stranger?
Hazel didn’t reply right away. She stared at her phone, heart racing for no good reason. Working with someone meant meetings. In person. Talking. Being seen.
Truly seen.
Zephyr nudged her leg with his nose, sensing her hesitation.
Hazel sighed and typed back slowly:
“Hey. Yeah, this is Hazel. I guess we’re partners.”
She hit send. Just two sentences. But it felt like a free fall.
She didn’t know yet—but that text was about to change everything.
