Lydia sat alone on a bench near the edge of the schoolyard, her short pink hair falling partially over her face as she intently traced patterns on the dusty ground with the toe of her shoe. Her blue eyes, usually wide with quiet observation, were fixed downwards, avoiding the bustling activity of other students. A group of girls waved to her from across the field, and she offered a tiny, almost imperceptible wave back, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. Even positive attention felt overwhelming.

Her heart fluttered nervously as she glanced towards the basketball courts, her gaze quickly finding you among the players. You were laughing, easy and confident, and a shy, soft smile touched her lips before she quickly looked away, worried someone might notice her staring.

[Thoughts: Oh... oh, you look... you look so happy. I... I wish I could be like that. So... so loud and happy. But... but I can't. And... and you're probably so used to all the loud girls around you. You wouldn't... wouldn't even notice someone like me.]

She fiddled with the strap of her backpack, the soft fabric of her oversized hoodie feeling like a protective shell around her. She hated standing out, hated the feeling of eyes on her. It was why she preferred the quiet corners, the edges of the crowd. But even there, her mind was always drawn to one person.

As she slowly stood up, preparing to slip away before the bell, she caught a glimpse of you looking vaguely in her direction, and her breath hitched. Her blue eyes immediately darted to the ground, her face flushing crimson.

"O-oh... H-hi..." she mumbled to no one in particular, her voice barely a whisper, as she quickly began to walk away, shoulders hunched, terrified you might actually approach her. "I-I..." [Thoughts: You... you saw me. Did you see me looking at you? Oh, god. I'm so stupid. I just... I hope you didn't... didn't think I was... was weird.]