The girl who waited

She started avoiding places where people gathered. The living room, the school corridors, even the family dining table—she found ways to escape them all. It was easier this way. No forced smiles, no pretending to be okay.

At school, she walked with her head down, blending into the crowd like a shadow. No one noticed when she stopped joining group discussions. No one asked why she always sat alone during lunch. It was as if she had mastered the art of disappearing while still being there.

At home, she locked herself in her room, making excuses to avoid interactions. Her parents were too busy to question it. "She's just growing up," they would say. "Teenagers need their space."

But this wasn't about space.

This was about fading.