Lily’s room was dimly lit, casting warm, golden shadows across the walls as she stood before her mirror, carefully combing her hair.
She stared at her reflection, her thoughts a gentle whirl of emotions as she recalled Alex’s defense of her that day in the cafeteria.
A soft smile appeared at her lips, a mixture of gratitude and something else she couldn’t quite name.
It felt good, so incredibly good, to have someone see her and stand up for her, to remind her that she wasn’t invisible.
She didn’t understand exactly why Alex’s gesture had made her so happy. After all, she barely knew him, and she had never thought herself the kind to be swayed by a stranger’s kindness.
Yet, something about his confidence, the steady way he’d held his ground against the twins—it had sparked a fire i
