Faceless

The secret between us

Ava’s world felt like it was spinning faster.

Every message from Starboy_17 made her smile.

Every moment with Eli made her heart ache in a way she couldn’t explain.

And she didn’t know how much longer she could keep them separate.

Friday afternoon, the school buzzed with weekend energy.

Students rushed to lockers, laughter spilling down the halls.

Eli caught up to Ava near the gate.

“Hey,” he said, grinning, “there’s this art fair tomorrow. You should come.”

Ava froze. “I don’t really… go to places.”

“Then maybe it’s time you do.” His voice softened. “I’ll be there. You won’t have to talk to anyone else.”

She hesitated. His eyes were warm, patient, real.

“I’ll think about it,” she whispered.

“Good,” he said, smiling before walking off — leaving her heart somewhere between panic and hope.

That night, she told Starboy_17 everything.

FacelessGirl: There’s this guy at school. He asked me to go somewhere with him.

Starboy_17: Do you like him?

FacelessGirl: Yes. But he doesn’t really know me.

Starboy_17: Maybe he knows the part of you that matters.

FacelessGirl: And what if he finds out the rest?

Starboy_17: Then he’ll still stay.

Tears filled Ava’s eyes.

She didn’t know if he was comforting her… or if he was the reason she couldn’t tell the truth.

The next day, she almost didn’t go.

She stood in front of her mirror, staring at the faint scars tracing her cheekbone — the reason she hid behind her hood.

For months, she’d been faceless to the world.

But today… maybe she wanted to be seen.

She wore her hoodie but left it unzipped. Just enough to breathe.

When she reached the fair, the crowd blurred into color and laughter. Then she saw him.

Eli.

He looked up — and smiled like she was the only person there.

“I’m glad you came.”

For a while, it was perfect. They walked, talked, and laughed under string lights and the scent of caramel popcorn.

Then his phone buzzed.

He pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

A message from FacelessGirl.

Ava’s phone buzzed too.

A message from Starboy_17.

They looked at each other — both phones glowing between them — and something inside Eli’s eyes changed.

Recognition.

“Wait,” he whispered. “You’re… her?”

Ava froze, heart pounding in her chest.

And for the first time since the accident, she wanted to run.