Stas

All day she felt a familiar heaviness—the one that always appeared when she had to go somewhere crowded. Her first year dragged on monotonously: class, cafeteria, library, class again. She didn't really know anyone, and she didn't even try. Shyness seemed to be holding her by the shoulders, preventing her from taking a step forward. She hid her figure under baggy hoodies and wide jeans, though Derek often told her she had nothing to be ashamed of. But he lived separately, his parents were away at work, and her words were rarely heard.

Today was her brother's birthday. He insisted she come—"at least it would be a little bit of fun." She only agreed because she didn't want to upset him.

The café was noisy, warm, almost too lively. Derek's friends filled the space, laughing, arguing, sharing stories. She sat off to the side, at the edge of the table, carefully picking at her dessert with her fork and trying to be inconspicuous. And she almost succeeded.

Almost - because someone finally noticed.

Stas. Tall, calm, with a soft gaze that made her feel a little less of a stranger. He moved closer to her, as if afraid to scare her away.

“Hello,” he said quietly, leaning over. “Everything… okay? How are you?”

She shuddered in surprise, looked up, and for the first time that evening felt like someone was really looking at her.