The Girl that No-one See

Before competition

Friday, 11th December, dawned cold and bright over Windlong Hart.

A blanket of frost covered the gardens of Hart Estate, while the waves below the cliffs crashed against the rocks beneath Sienna's bedroom window.

She stood for a moment, looking out at the sea.

Today was the day.

four years of victories had brought her here.

If she won again, it would be her fifth consecutive Windlong Hart County Young Artists Competition title.

After getting dressed, Sienna walked downstairs.

The kitchen was already busy.

Pearl-May Hart, freshly returned from her business trip to London, was dressed immaculately in a cream fitted dress, her blonde hair perfectly styled as she balanced a coffee in one hand and her phone in the other.

"Yes... move the meeting to Monday."

She ended one call only to answer another.

Across the room, Alexander Andrew Hart sat quietly with his usual thick hardback book, occasionally turning a page while drinking his coffee.

Jordan burst into the kitchen, still trying to straighten his school tie.

"Mum, don't forget my doctor's appointment."

Pearl-May smiled briefly.

"I haven't forgotten."

"It's at half past nine."

Jordan grinned.

"I was just checking."

Willow entered moments later, looking as polished as ever.

"Morning."

"Morning, darling," Pearl-May replied warmly.

Then Sienna quietly entered the room.

Pearl-May looked up.

"Today's your competition."

"Yes, Mum."

Sienna wasn't carrying her painting.

She had submitted it two days earlier, on Wednesday. It now stood safely inside the Windlong Hart County Competition Hall alongside the other finalists' artwork. Once entered, none of the paintings could be touched or altered until the judging had been completed.

Pearl-May walked over to Sienna.

"I know I've been busy."

She rested a hand on Sienna's shoulder.

"But your father and I promised we'd be there."

"The awards begin at two o'clock this afternoon."

"We'll be there."

Sienna smiled.

"Thank you, Mum."

Pearl-May's phone rang again.

She answered immediately.

"Pearl-May Hart speaking..."

Within seconds she was discussing contracts as she picked up her handbag.

Jordan sighed dramatically.

"I'd better rescue Mum before she takes her CEO voice into the doctor's office."

Even Alexander smiled faintly at that.

Pearl-May paused at the front door.

"Good luck today, sweetheart."

"I know you'll do your brilliant."

Then she and Jordan left for his appointment.

The house became quiet once more.

Alexander finally looked up from his book.

Without much emotion, he said,

"Do your great."

"I will, Dad."

He nodded once before returning to his reading.

It wasn't much.

But for Alexander...

It was encouragement.

Outside, the familiar sound of a car horn echoed through the estate.

Sienna smiled.

"They're here."

She hurried outside.

Waiting by the white gates was Kristopher's dark blue car.

William leaned out of the passenger window with a broad grin.

"Morning, future champion!"

Sienna laughed.

"Don't jinx it."

Kristopher smiled as she climbed into the back seat.

"Ready?"

She looked out towards the sea one last time before answering.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The car pulled away from Hart Estate.

Ahead lay Windlong Hart Academy.

The Competition Hall.

And a day that none of them would ever forget.

Kristopher's car rolled through the gates of Windlong Hart Academy just as the morning rush was beginning.

Students crossed the courtyard in every direction, wrapped in scarves and winter coats against the cold December air.

As soon as the car came to a stop, William climbed out first.

"Come on," he said with a smile. "Today's your day."

Sienna stepped out of the back seat, taking a deep breath.

Almost immediately, the rest of the wrestling team spotted them.

Josh was the first to wave.

"There she is!"

Paul and several other teammates followed, gathering around with friendly smiles.

"Morning, Sienna."

"Good luck today!"

"We're all rooting for you."

"You've got this!"

Sienna smiled, slightly overwhelmed by the support.

"Thank you, everyone. That really means a lot."

Josh nudged Kristopher with his elbow.

"She's going to need a bit of luck."

Kristopher looked at him as though he'd said something ridiculous.

"Luck?"

He shook his head.

"No."

He turned towards Sienna with complete confidence.

"She doesn't need luck."

The group fell quiet.

Kristopher smiled.

"She has talent."

William folded his arms with a grin.

"He's right."

Paul nodded.

"You don't win the same competition four years in a row because you're lucky."

"You win because you're brilliant."

Sienna felt her cheeks turn pink.

"You lot are going to make me blush."

Josh laughed.

"Mission accomplished."

One of the younger wrestlers scratched his head.

"I've never actually seen one of your paintings."

Kristopher answered before Sienna could.

"Then you're missing out."

"They're incredible."

Sienna smiled shyly.

"Thanks, Kris."

He shrugged.

"I'm only telling the truth."

For a moment, standing in the middle of the school courtyard, Sienna looked around.

She saw smiling faces.

People wishing her well.

People who believed in her.

It was a feeling she still wasn't used to.

Across the courtyard, Willow watched from the steps with Laura and Lizzy.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Not long ago, hardly anyone had noticed Sienna.

Now...

An entire wrestling team was cheering her on.

And standing proudly beside her was the one person Willow could never seem to impress—

Kristopher Moussaka.

Two Hours Before the Competition

By noon, lessons had finished for the morning, and excitement about the annual Windlong Hart County Young Artists Competition spread throughout the school.

The judging would begin at 2:00 p.m.

Sienna remained in the art department with Miss Bullmastiffs, helping arrange chairs for the audience. Her painting was already displayed inside the Competition Hall, standing among the finalists' work behind a velvet rope. Once submitted, no one—not even the artists—was allowed to touch the paintings.

Meanwhile, Willow had been given permission to leave school early.

Her red Range rover swept through the white gates of Hart Estate before coming to a stop outside the mansion.

She frowned.

Both her mother's silver Mercedes and her father's black Aston Martin were parked on the driveway.

"They're actually home..." she murmured.

Willow stepped inside.

The hallway was unusually busy.

Pearl-May stood fastening the buttons on her cream coat while checking emails on her phone.Alexander adjusted the cuffs of his suit jacket before picking up his car keys.

Willow looked between them.

"Where are you two going?"

Pearl-May looked up.

"To your sister's competition."

Willow blinked.

"You're both going?"

"We promised Sienna we would," Pearl-May replied.

Alexander nodded once.

"It starts at two."

"We'll leave shortly."

For a brief moment, Willow said nothing.

She had grown so used to Sienna's events being forgotten that seeing both of her parents getting ready to attend felt... strange.

Pearl-May slipped her phone into her handbag.

"I know we've missed a few things over the years."

"I'm not missing today."

Alexander picked up his coat.

"Neither am I."

Willow forced a smile.

"I'm sure she'll be pleased."

But inside, an uncomfortable feeling settled in her chest.

For years, Sienna had expected disappointment.

Today...

For the first time in a long while...

Someone had kept their promise.

Willow stood silently in the hallway, watching her parents collect their coats.

Pearl-May checked her watch.

"We should leave in ten minutes."

Before either parent could move, Willow's breathing became uneven.

She pressed a hand against her chest.

"Mum..."

Pearl-May looked up immediately.

"What is it?"

Tears filled Willow's eyes.

"I... I can't cope with all of this winter."

She wiped at her face.

"It's making my chest feel tight."

Alexander frowned and set his car keys back down.

"Are you having trouble breathing?"

"I don't know."

Willow nodded, tears running down her cheeks.

"I just feel awful."

Pearl-May hurried over.

"Sit down."

Willow lowered herself onto the sofa.

"I think..." she whispered, "...I need to get away."

Pearl-May knelt beside her.

"Away where?"

"Somewhere hot."

Willow took a shaky breath.

"The Maldives..."

She paused.

"Or the Caribbean."

"Maybe even a cruise."

"I just need sunshine."

Alexander studied his daughter carefully.

"If you're feeling unwell, we should make sure it's nothing serious before making travel plans."

Pearl-May gently squeezed Willow's hand.

"Your health comes first."

Willow leaned into her mother, still tearful.

"I don't think I can cope with this cold weather anymore."

Pearl-May glanced at Alexander.

"We'll talk about a holiday later."

She looked back at Willow with concern.

"But first, let's make sure you're alright."

For a moment, the plans for Sienna's competition hung in the balance as both parents focused their attention on Willow once again.

Alexander looked at Willow for a long moment.

If anyone else had been crying, he might have questioned whether it could wait.

But seeing Willow so distressed made him act immediately.

He picked up his car keys.

"All right."

Pearl-May looked at him.

"You mean... now?"

Alexander nodded.

"If she's feeling this overwhelmed, there's no point waiting."

He turned to Pearl-May.

"We'll wait Jordan from school."

"Then we'll head straight to the airport."

Pearl-May hesitated.

"What about Sienna's competition?"

Alexander was silent for a moment.

"We'll have to miss it."

Pearl-May closed her eyes briefly.

"We promised her."

"I know."

Alexander's voice remained calm.

"But Willow comes first."

Pearl-May looked torn.

She knew Sienna had waited years to hear those words—We'll be there.

Now, only hours before the competition...

They were about to break that promise again.

Willow sniffled, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

"I'm sorry..."

"I know this changes everything."

Pearl-May wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Don't apologise."

"We'll sort everything out."

Alexander picked up his phone.

"I'll have the driver collect Jordan from school."

"We'll go straight to the airport after that."

Pearl-May quietly nodded, though a flicker of guilt crossed her face.

Neither of them realised that, at that very moment...

Across town, Sienna was standing in the Competition Hall, believing her parents were still coming.

She smiled to herself as she looked at the rows of chairs being set out for the audience.

She kept glancing towards the entrance.

In her heart...

She was counting down the minutes until she would finally see her family walk through those doors.

A few minutes later, the front door burst open.

Jordan came bouncing into the hallway, his school bag hanging from one shoulder and a huge grin on his face.

"I'm home!"

He stopped when he saw suitcases by the front door.

His smile widened.

"Ooo... are we going somewhere?"

Pearl-May smiled.

"We're taking a little trip."

Jordan looked around excitedly.

"After we've been to Sienna's competition?"

The room fell silent.

Jordan looked from his mother...

...to his father...

...then to Willow.

"Well?" he asked.

Alexander cleared his throat.

"We're not going to the competition."

Jordan frowned.

"But..."

He looked confused.

"We promised Sienna."

Pearl-May looked away.

"I know."

Jordan's smile disappeared.

"But she's been talking about today for weeks."

Alexander placed a hand on Jordan's shoulder.

"Willow isn't feeling well."

"We're taking her somewhere warmer for a few days."

Jordan looked at Willow, who was sitting quietly on the sofa.

"Couldn't we go after the competition?"

"It starts at two."

"It won't take all day."

Alexander sighed.

"The decision has been made."

Jordan looked down at the floor.

"But..."

His voice was much quieter now.

"Sienna's going to be looking for you."

Pearl-May's expression softened with guilt.

"I know she will."

Jordan swallowed hard.

"She'll pretend she's okay..."

"...but she'll be really sad."

No one replied.

For the first time in a long while...

Even Alexander found himself without an answer.

Jordan slowly picked up his school bag again.

"I wish we could keep our promise."

His words lingered in the silent hallway.

No one could bring themselves to disagree.