Mia Michaelson didn't like attention.
That was the first thing people learned about her at Western Crest University.
She wasn't the girl who walked into a room and owned it.
She was the girl who entered quietly like she was asking permission to exist there, soft voice, careful steps, eyes that observed more than they spoke, and most days, that was enough.
The campus was already alive when Mia stepped out of her hostel block
Students rushed past her in clusters laughter bouncing off concrete walkways, headphones in ears, hands waving in greeting.
Mia adjusted the strap of her backpack and kept walking.
"Morning, Mia!"
She turned slightly.
A coursemate she vaguely recognized smiled at her.
"Oh… hi," Mia replied softly.
The girl nodded and kept moving.
That was how most of Mia's days went.
Small exchanges.
No anchors.
She reached the lecture hall early.
As always.
She chose a seat at the far back, near the window, where she could watch without being watched.
Outside, palm trees swayed gently in the warm campus wind. Students sat on the grass in groups, arguing, laughing, existing so loudly it felt unreal.
Mia rested her chin on her hand.
Maybe I should be more like them.
Then immediately
She dismissed the thought.
No.
That wasn't her.
Her phone buzzed.
Mom Calling
Mia stared at it for a second too long.
Then silenced it.
She didn't feel ready.
She never really did.
"Miss Michaelson?"
The lecturer's voice pulled her back.
"Yes sir."
"You're with us?"
Mia nodded quickly. "Yes."
But she wasn't.
Not fully.
She was there in body.
Elsewhere in mind.
By evening, Mia had retreated back into her shared hostel room, Khloe are roommate was already in front of the mirror, humming, applying makeup like tonight was important.
Because to her it was.
"Emmanuel's birthday dinner is tonight," Khloe announced again, like she hadn't said it all week.
Mia looked up from her notebook. "I know."
"And you're coming."
"I don't think
"Nope." Khloe turned around sharply. "Don't start."
Mia sighed softly. "Khloe…"
"You've been in this room for three days straight except lectures. That's not living, that's hiding."
"I'm fine."
Khloe walked over and sat beside her.
"Mia. Please. Just one night. Club. Music. People. You don't have to talk to anyone if you don't want to."
Mia hesitated.
"I don't belong in places like that."
Khloe snorted. "Nobody belongs until they show up."
That landed quieter than expected.
Mia looked down at her hands.
"I'll just… go for a little while."
Khloe's face lit up immediately. "Yes!"
Mia added quickly, "But I might leave early."
"Deal."
Khloe stood and clapped once. "You're going to look so pretty, I swear."
Mia gave a small, uncertain smile.
She didn't feel pretty.
She felt… borrowed.
Like she was stepping into someone else's life for a few hours.