#the invincible

Morning birds flitted across the sky, chirping as they hopped from branch to branch. The tree’s leaves rustled softly in the breeze, whispering like secrets passed between friends. On the ground below, cars rolled past buildings, and people moved briskly along the sidewalks, caught up in the rhythm of their daily routines.

The 'Bread & Butter Café' stood calmly at the heart of it all, a small crowd gathered outside. Locals chatted quietly, some with partners, as they waited in line. The café’s entrance, framed by beautifully carved wooden doors and large, spotless prism-like windows, offered a warm invitation.

Sunlight bounced off the display glass, while the awning above provided a gentle shade. Tree shadows danced lightly across the windows, adding a touch of nature’s artistry.

“Good Lord, I’m tired,” William groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked drained, his backpack slung low as he stood beside his friend, Mark. “Who thought partying at midnight was a good idea? Definitely not me.”

Mark smirked. “What did you expect? Three shots of tequila and a whiskey chaser weren’t exactly a sleep aid.”

Will shot him a glare, then dramatically planted both hands on his hips, mimicking a scolding parent. “For your information, I only tried that whiskey because my dad never lets me.”

Straightening up, he tapped three fingers to his chest and gave a cocky little grin. “Besides, I look old enough. He’ll never know.”

Mark laughed, shaking his head. “Sure, Will. Whatever you say.”

Just then, a family of four approached the café doors. The father, clean-shaven and neatly dressed in a burgundy sweater and pressed navy pants, looked every bit the picture of calm. His polished shoes shined, and a leather satchel hung from his shoulder. His hair caught the light, revealing two faint streaks of white on one side.

His eyes scanned the waiting crowd—some visibly impatient, others chatting casually in groups.

Beside him stood his wife, her highlighted hair gleaming in the sun, her eyes smiling as she watched their daughter unlock the doors. She wore a white sleeveless top under a soft, cozy cardigan and black pants paired with crisp white sneakers. In her arms, their baby girl slept peacefully, wrapped snug in a swaddling cloth. The mother gently rocked her, whispering soothing words.

Their daughter—clearly familiar with the morning rush—opened the café doors with a practiced hand and flipped the sign to "OPEN." A ripple of excitement passed through the waiting line as people began filing in.

“Thanks for your patience, folks!” the father called out cheerfully, placing his satchel on a table near the register. “Had a bit of a morning adventure. You know how that goes.” His warm presence drew chuckles from the crowd.

“Now then... shall we begin?”...

...

The café buzzed with energy as customers flowed in and out, the day unfolding in its usual rhythm. Mark and Will edged closer to the counter, waiting for their turn. Mark’s eyes wandered around the shop, taking it all in as he stood quietly in line.

The café’s interior had a clean, minimalist vibe—white walls, modern chairs neatly arranged for guests looking to relax. Sunlight streamed through the windows, keeping the plants by the front window glowing with life. By the register, a glass display case showcased an array of golden-brown, freshly baked pastries, each more tempting than the last.

A gentle voice caught Mark’s attention.

“Sweetie, could you take this to Table 2, please?” the woman at the counter asked, handing a tray to her daughter. The girl stepped forward just in time, gripping the tray by its edges and pulling it close to her chest as she walked carefully across the floor.

As she passed Mark, she glanced in his direction and offered a soft, fleeting smile before continuing toward the couple seated by the window. With practiced ease, she delivered their drinks and desserts.

“One Venti mocha strawberry smoothie, one Venti chocolate chip swirl, and two raspberry truffle cakes. Enjoy!” she said cheerfully. The couple responded with warm thank-yous before diving into their treats.

Mark watched her return to the counter, her smartwatch beeping as she glanced down at the time. He looked at his own watch—and his eyes widened.

“Crap, Will! We’re gonna be late!” he whispered urgently. They stepped forward, quickly giving their orders to the cashier, who nodded and began entering them into the system.

Meanwhile, the girl untied her apron, slipping it off her neck and hanging it neatly on a nearby hook. She brushed a few crumbs from her shirt, grabbed her backpack, and got ready for school.

“Ready?” her dad called across the room as she grabbed her phone.

“Almost!” she replied, slinging her bag over one shoulder and heading toward him.

“You say goodbye to your mom?”

“Yep.”

“Your sister?”

“Done.”

“Alright, let’s go,” he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder as they stepped outside.

At the entrance, the mother waved them off, the baby now wide awake and giggling as she rattled her toy, her tiny fingers grasping it in delight.

Outside, the car’s lights blinked as the locks clicked open. The girl pulled open the passenger-side door and climbed in, resting her backpack in her lap. Her zipper charms jingled softly as her father got in beside her, taking the driver’s seat.

He shifted the gear to ‘Drive,’ and the car eased smoothly into traffic. Father and daughter chatted for a bit, eventually settling into a quiet, peaceful rhythm.

Back at the curb, Mark stood watching them pull away. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling—something between curiosity and... something else. He couldn’t quite name it.

“Mark?” a distant voice called. He heard it, but didn’t react right away. “Mark?” It was clearer now. “Mark!”

“Huh?” Mark blinked and turned to see Will holding out his drink. “Oh—sorry.”

“You’ve been staring at that girl for, like, the whole time.”

“Have I?” Mark said, a bit surprised. “I didn’t even realize...”

Will raised a brow. “You feeling okay, man? You’re looking kinda red.”

Mark laughed awkwardly, waving off the comment. “Yeah. Just... never mind.” He took the drink from Will with a thankful nod. “Thanks.”

“No worries. Let’s get going before we’re late.”

Together, they headed out the door, pausing only to thank the barista before stepping back into the morning rush.

...

The sound of screeching brakes and hissing air filled the air as school buses lined up along the curb, one after another, releasing waves of students onto the pavement. Backpacks bounced. Sneakers slapped the sidewalk. The low drone of morning conversation and laughter buzzed through the air like static.

Inside the building, lockers clanged open and shut. The scent of fresh paper, cafeteria tater tots, and cologne lingered faintly in the halls. Mark moved through the crowd, his steps purposeful as he approached his locker. With a practiced twist, he spun the combination dial and pulled open the door.

He was mid-reach for his Algebra book when the hallway atmosphere subtly shifted—almost like the air paused to inhale. A ripple of murmurs moved along the walls as several heads turned. Mark noticed it too.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone walking toward them—a figure who stood out, not just for how unfamiliar she was, but for the quiet confidence in her stride. Hair glinting under the fluorescent lights, books hugged close to her chest, she walked with calm intention, like someone completely at ease with being noticed... and clearly used to it.

Mark’s eyes widened just slightly, a light flickering behind them as recognition clicked into place.

Will followed his gaze, eyebrows lifting with interest. “That her?” he mouthed. Mark gave a tiny, silent nod.

The girl finally reached them, a soft smile playing on her lips as she came to a gentle stop in front of them.

“Hi,” she said warmly, her voice calm and clear, like the first page of a good book. “You’re Mark, right? And you’re Will?”

Both boys nodded, momentarily frozen in place.

Will, always the shameless one, raised his eyebrows in a playful wiggle, elbowing Mark with a teasing grin. Mark responded instantly with a sharp nudge to his side, making Will yelp under his breath and stifle a laugh.

“Sorry—yeah!” Mark said quickly, snapping out of it. He gave a slightly awkward chuckle and raised his hand for a handshake, his other hand instinctively going to the back of his neck as he rubbed it sheepishly. “I’m Mark,” he said, motioning to himself before gesturing toward his friend. “And this guy here is William. Will, for short.”

She laughed—soft and melodic, as if she found his nervousness endearing rather than awkward. “Yes, I can see that,” she said, tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear with gentle grace.

“I feel kinda bad for not meeting you both sooner,” she added, her eyes sincere. “I’ve just been... constantly busy. You know how that goes.”

She brought a hand to her mouth as she spoke, covering the corner of her lips with a quiet, teasing smile that made Mark’s heart stutter for a beat.

“Yeah,” he replied with a chuckle. “I totally get it.”

“It’s infuriating,” she added with a grin, giggling lightly. Her hair bounced with her laugh, effortlessly charming.

Their conversation drifted into light chatter—small talk about teachers, hall schedules, and how confusing it was that second period kept getting moved around. Her eyes—(E/C)—held a brightness to them, a kind of curiosity that seemed to pull answers from people before they even knew they wanted to speak.

Then, she reached out to formally shake his hand.

Her fingers brushed lightly over his as she gripped his palm—firmly, confidently. The sensation was brief, but it sent a surprising spark up Mark’s spine. Her touch was feather-light but grounding, like she was here—really here—and for some odd reason, he didn’t want to let go.

The handshake wasn’t dainty or shy. It had presence. Purpose. Something about it reminded Mark of the way his dad always said you could tell a lot about someone by their handshake.

This one said: I know who I am.

Mark blinked, smiling through the daze. “So... what classes are you guys in today?” she asked casually, but her tone carried that effortless rhythm that made you want to keep talking, keep listening.

And just like that, the hum of the hallway around them faded a little—less noise, less pressure—like this moment, right here, was something more than just a meet-and-greet.

...

As the day unfolded, Mark and (Y/N) crossed paths often—between classes, in the hallways, sometimes with a brief wave or a shared glance. But it was during lunch that they really connected. The cafeteria buzzed with clatter and chatter, but their corner of the table always felt quieter, more grounded.

Their conversations drifted away from school. Instead, they talked about music, movies they loved—or hated—childhood memories, dream vacations, the strange comfort of rainy days. It was easy, natural. The kind of talk that makes an hour pass in what feels like minutes.

By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, the sun had already begun its slow descent. Backpacks zipped, lockers slammed, and waves of students flooded the halls.

Will gave Mark a lazy salute as he headed off. “Well, I’ll catch you later when we hang out, yeah?”

Mark nodded. “You know it.”

Before leaving, (Y/N) turned to Will and offered her hand with a friendly smile. “It was really nice meeting you. And hey, if you ever want help with Algebra II or Chemistry II, I’d be happy to help. My house is pretty chill for studying.”

Will raised a brow, then smiled, clearly impressed. “Seriously? That’d be awesome. How about next week? Thursday work?”

“Done and done.” She chuckled, folding her arms loosely over her chest in a satisfied pose.

“Perfect. See ya then. Bye, guys!” Will called out as he jogged off, disappearing into the crowd.

That left Mark and (Y/N) alone.

They stepped outside together, the late-afternoon air warm and golden as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The sidewalk buzzed with motion—people hurrying home, buses honking, crosswalk signals blinking. The two of them walked in step, close but not too close, their pace unhurried despite the rush around them.

Mark glanced sideways. “So… got any plans for tonight?”

She gave a short, amused breath. “Just studying,” she replied, hugging her books a little tighter to her chest.

Mark pulled a face, playful. “Sounds thrilling.”

“Oh, absolutely riveting,” she joked, grinning as she rolled her eyes. “Highlighters, late-night caffeine, and textbook drama—it’s a party.”

Mark laughed, the sound relaxed and genuine. For a second, the noise of the city faded behind the rhythm of their quiet steps and easy conversation.

And in that shared silence, something soft bloomed—not quite love, not yet—but something warm and promising, like a candle quietly being lit.

...

[CHAPTER 02 - "THE WEB"]