Casting Shadows

[ It's struck her as odd for a while now that with all the time he's devoted to everyone else, with all he's helped her with, that she's never really outwardly shown much of an interest in him, and in what he can do; what he believes.

She knows that it's possible--probable, even--that he knows how much she appreciates him, but there's something to be said about the fact that she's never spoken the words and asked the questions.

It's not shame that lingers in the slight heat of her cheeks, but there is embarrassment there; maybe even a touch of disappointment in herself, as well. ]

You know, I'm not a child.

or, y'know

              Again.

Sometimes, the off switch on her invisibility just doesn't want to work, and this just happens to be one of those times. It's embarrassing, getting stuck like this, and rather than ask for help from Alex--because that had gone so well last time--or the Professor, she's taken to just letting it be.

Heading to the kitchen when she finally can't stand being cooped up in her room any longer, she notices someone entering the hall at the last second, too late to do anything but run into her.

The impact isn't anything forceful, though it's probably jarring to the other person who, just a minute ago, was likely certain they were the only one in the hallway. ]

--sorry!

[ It's only when she reaches out sympathetically--guiltily, even--that she realizes she's come back, that she's visible again. ]