Chapter 1
EPISODE: 1: The Girl in the Background
POV: Sofia
I glanced out my bedroom window and let out a huge sigh. Tomorrow was a massive test from Miss Gretchen. Sometimes I thought she actually disliked me. She always smiled at Sidney, the popular girl, encouraging her to ask questions, and whenever I raised my hand, she looked away, as if I didn’t exist. Relief washed over me knowing she wouldn’t teach us next year.
I had to pull myself together for two more years, then finally—college. I dreamed of Columbia High. My future job? Something where I could actually help people. Counselor, maybe. But first, I had to figure out who I was. Small, skinny, basically invisible—it was hard to feel like anyone noticed me, let alone that I would ever catch the interest of a boy. Even Miss Gretchen overlooked me.
I hoped my body would grow into something more… normal. Right now, I’m Sofia Santos, a total nobody.
I knew I was smart, though not the smartest. That title belonged to my best friend, Miley. Languages came naturally to her, while I was more of the nerdy type—math and history were more my thing. My phone buzzed with a text from her.
“OMG, I have the best news. Tom Carity invited me over. Big party at his parents’ place this Saturday. And Michael Davis will be there!!!”
I rolled my eyes. Miley had a massive crush on the most popular guy in school. Who didn’t? Michael Davis was tall, well-built, with perfect teeth, light blue eyes, and black curly hair always falling over his forehead. Yeah, he was gorgeous. But I was realistic. Plain girls like me would never have a chance with a boy like him. But do I even want a boy like him? Popular guys are bullies and not to be trusted. I’m more falling for the nerdy types. Guys who actually want to talk to a girl and don’t think about having sex all the time.
Yesterday, Sidney sat on Davis his lap like a puppy. I shivered just thinking about it.
I collapsed onto my mattress.
Sometimes I felt like I was born in the wrong century. Parties, drinking, random hookups… it was like everyone else had forgotten life had more to offer. Even Miley was into it now.
I picked up my phone and typed:
“Great for you, Miles!”
Short. Polite. Enough to acknowledge her but not get sucked into excitement, because I definitely wasn’t feeling it.
“You’re coming with me, Sofia! I asked Tom, and he said you can come too! Isn’t that awesome!!!!””
Ugh. I didn’t want to go. I loved to dance, but not with those rich kids who looked down on everyone else. They’d laugh at my cheap clothes.
“Sorry, can’t. I have to look after Cody…”
I sent it quickly. Miley wasn’t going to let it go—she was obsessed with Tom and Michael, stalking them on every social media platform. Sad, really, since they probably wouldn’t even notice her.
“You’re not bailing on me, Sofia! Your parents don’t go out Saturday because your mother has to work. No excuses!!!”
I rubbed my eyes. Yeah, hopeless. Miley never let things drop. The worst part is she even knows my parents working schedule..
“Fine. I’ll go—just this once.”
Instant regret fills me. But my therapist kept saying it would be good to hang out more with classmates. I needed the push.
Mom and Dad thought therapy would help me with my lack of confidence and communication. I had to work hard just to fit in. Miley was the only one I had opened up to. She knew the real me. I grow quiet in crowds, but alone, I could be fun and loud. She pushed me when I needed it, and she understood me better than anyone. Miley is so smart, beautiful, and just an amazing friend.
My phone buzzed again.
“Oh god, I love you. Thanks, Sofia! See ya in the morning!”
I sent back a few emojis—our secret code from when we were thirteen. We still used it sometimes, though not as often.
I glanced at my textbook and then out the window. Darkness had fallen. I slid under the sheets, exhausted. I drop one last look at my notes before tossing the book aside.
Miss Gretchen had better be nice and ask questions I actually studied.
The next morning, I made breakfast for Cody and me. Mom and Dad were already at work. I was used to it. When I was younger, I couldn’t understand why other kids had their parents making breakfast and sitting at the table with them. Now, I got it. Mom and Dad worked so hard to make sure we’d have a better future.
Mom had packed our lunchboxes already. My only job? Make sure Cody caught the bus—the hardest part after all.
“Cody!!!” I yelled. “The bus leaves in fifteen minutes!” “You don’t need to shout every morning,” he grumbled, plopping down. “If you’d listened the first time, I wouldn’t have to yell again,” I snapped.
He ate a huge bite of his sandwich while texting furiously.
“Something wrong?” I asked. “No,” he muttered, short and annoyed.
I brushed it off and headed to the bathroom. Teeth cleaned. Breakfast eaten. Coat on. Cody rushed out with his backpack.
“See you later, sis.”
I muttered, “Strange boy,” and grabbed my bike. Pedaling toward school, my thoughts spun around the test. I needed to pass—or I would feel like a total failure again.
The school loomed ahead, lockers slamming, sneakers scraping, and chatter bouncing off the walls. I slipped past groups of students, trying not to be noticed. My stomach fluttered with nerves.
Miley spotted me immediately, grinning.
“Sofia! Ready for today? I’m so excited!”
I forced a smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I murmured, clutching my textbook.
She grabbed my arm and squeezed it. “Don’t worry! You’ll ace it. I just know it.”
I nodded, trying to believe her. Miss Gretchen’s reputation was enough to make anyone nervous.
The bell rang, echoing through the hall. Students scurried toward classrooms. I followed, heart pounding.
Inside the classroom, desks lined neat rows. Miss Gretchen stood at the front, papers clutched in her hands. Her gaze swept the room. My stomach tightened.
I sat by the window, hoping the view would calm me. My pencil tapped nervously as I reviewed formulas one last time.
The test began. Pencils scratched, papers rustled, and I forced myself to breathe, blocking out distractions. Each question pulled me in, and I dived into it, letting memory and logic take over.
Minutes blurred together. I scribbled, crossed out, and rewrote, heart racing. A small voice whispered that I could do this every once in a while.
Finally, the bell rang. Miss Gretchen collected all the papers, her face unreadable. I exhaled, relief and dread mixing. I had done my best, and that’s hopefully more than enough.
I rode home on my bike, the wind messing up my hair. Saturday would be different for sure. I’m still hoping I’ll get sick or something like that, just enough so I don’t have to go.
As I got home, Cody sat on the couch with his phone in his left hand.
“Hey, Sofia,” he called, barely looking up. I greeted him softly. “Hey, Cody. How was school?”
“Same as usual,” he shrugged, eyes glued to the screen.
I smiled faintly. Tomorrow, I would step into a new world—the party, the people, everything I usually avoided. And maybe… just maybe… I could survive it just by being invisible.
