YOU FINALLY SAW ME

MIYU'S POV The classroom was unusually quiet that afternoon. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that made even the sound of a pen dropping on the floor feel loud. Everyone seemed to be paying attention to the lesson. Everyone except me. I rested my cheek against my palm and stared out the window. Outside, the trees moved gently with the wind. A few students were walking across the school field, probably on their way to their next class. I watched them for a while. Then I started imagining what it would be like to simply get up and leave. No homework. No teachers. No tests. Just freedom. I smiled to myself. “Miyu!” I froze. That voice was never a good sign. I slowly lifted my head from my desk. My teacher was standing in front of me, arms crossed, looking at me like I had just committed the greatest crime known to mankind. “Yes, ma'am?” “Can you tell me what I just explained?” I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. The whole class went quiet. I had absolutely no idea what she had explained. I had been staring through the window for the past ten minutes. “I… um…” My teacher sighed. “Were you listening at all?” “Yes.” “Then tell me what I said.” I looked down at my notebook. There wasn't even a single word written on the page. “…I was about to write it.” A few students laughed. My teacher did not. “Miyu, this is becoming a habit. You are constantly distracted in class.” I lowered my head. “I'm sorry.” "bring your parents to school tomorrow" My head snapped up. “What?!” The entire class laughed again. “It's not funny!” I whispered. My teacher pointed toward my seat. “Sit down.” I slowly sat. My heart was beating fast. My parents being called to school was the last thing I wanted. Again. The moment the bell rang, I packed my things as quickly as possible and left before anyone could stop me. I pulled out my phone while walking home. There was only one person I could call. Ethan. My older brother. He was away at university, but somehow, whenever I got myself into trouble, he was always the first person I thought of. I called him. He answered after several rings. “What did you do?” I frowned. “Why do you always assume I did something?” “Because you don't normally call me during school hours unless you're in trouble.” “I am not in trouble.” There was a pause. “Miyu.” “…Maybe a little.” He laughed. I rolled my eyes. “It's not funny!” “Okay, okay. What happened?” I sighed. “The teacher wants to call Mom and Dad to school.” “What did you do?” “Nothing!” “You probably weren't paying attention.” I became quiet. “How did you know?” “Because you're predictable.” “Ethan!” He laughed again. “You're so annoying.” “And you're in trouble.” “I know!” I kicked a small stone on the road. “Can you come home?” “For what?” “So you can talk to the teacher.” “Me?” “Yes.” “Miyu, I'm at university.” “I know.” “And you want me to leave university and come to your school because you weren't paying attention?” “…Yes.” He burst out laughing. I frowned. “You're supposed to help me!” “I'll think about it.” “Ethan!” “Fine, fine. I'll call you later.” “Promise?” “Promise.” The call ended. I stared at my phone. He wasn't coming. I knew he wasn't. But I still smiled a little. Because no matter how much Ethan annoyed me, he was still the person I called whenever I needed help. And somehow, I had no idea that this silly little school problem would eventually become the beginning of a bigger story But for now... I was just Miyu. A 13 year old middle school kid A girl with an empty notebook, a worried mind, and a brother she was determined to drag home.