Chapter 15
Chapter 15
A week passed before Ms. Rachna made any announcement about the contest.
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I sat in English class every day, watching her face for signs. She would glance at me during lessons. Quick looks that made my stomach twist. But she said nothing.
Then on Friday morning, she walked into class with a stack of magazines.
“I have some exciting news,” she said, setting them on her desk.
The class looked up from their notebooks.
“The school literary magazine is finished. And we had some outstanding submissions for the contest.”
She held up one of the magazines. The cover was simple. Blue background with white text that said “Lincoln Middle School Literary Piece.”
“One story in particular stood out to the judging committee. It’s been selected not only for publication, but as
the contest winner.”
My heart started beating faster.
“The story is called ‘Invisible.’ It’s about family relationships and finding your voice.”
Ava leaned forward in her seat. “Was it that piece from last week?”
“Yes, Ava.”
“Did the writer turn up?” She asked, her voice laced with interrogation in a way that made me feel like there was still a stroke of suspicion in her.
Ms. Rachna opened the magazine and flipped through pages.
“No.But the writing is exceptional. Mature beyond the author’s years. Whoever wrote this has a gift.”
She found the page she was looking for.
“I’d like to read a portion of it to you. To show what powerful writing looks like.”
She cleared her throat and began reading.
“Anaya was invisible. Not the kind of invisible that comes from hiding. The kind that comes from being seen but never really noticed. She existed in the spaces between other people’s attention. In the gaps of family conversations. In the silence after her sister spoke.”
I felt my face getting hot. Those were my words being read aloud.
“Anaya learned early that her job was to make room. Room for her sister’s laughter. Room for her sister’s tears. Room for her sister’s dreams. There was never room for Anaya’s anything.”
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Madison raised her hand. “That’s really sad.”
:
“It is sad,” Ms. Rachna agreed. “But it’s also honest. The author writes about real pain.”
She continued reading.
“The worst part wasn’t being ignored. The worst part was being told she should be grateful for the scraps. That asking for more made her selfish. That wanting to matter made her wrong.”
I stared at my desk. Every word felt like it was carved from my own experiences.
“But one day, Anaya realized something. Invisible didn’t have to mean powerless. Sometimes the most dangerous people were the ones nobody saw coming.”
Ms. Rachna closed the magazine.
“The story goes on from there. Building to a moment where Anaya decides to stop being invisible. To stop apologizing for existing.”
Tommy raised his hand. “So what happens to her?”
“You’ll have to read the full story to find out. It’s on page twelve of the magazine.”
She walked around the room, placing a magazine on each desk.
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“Now, here’s the exciting part. The contest winner will be recognized at Monday’s assembly. The author will be called on stage to receive their award.”
My stomach dropped.
“Since the story was submitted anonymously, I don’t know who to call up. So I’ll ask one more time.” Ms. Rachna looked around the room. “Did anyone in this class write ‘Invisible‘?”
Silence.
I could feel her eyes on me. But I kept staring at my desk.
“Well, if the author is here, I hope they’ll come forward on Monday. This kind of talent deserves recognition.”
We both knew she was speaking to me but I pretended not a word mattered.
The rest of class passed in a blur. Students flipped through their magazines during the poetry lesson. I could hear whispers about the anonymous story.
“It’s so well written,” Sarah said to Madison.
“I wonder who could write like that,” Madison replied.
At lunch, Ava’s table was buzzing with talk about the magazine.
“Did you read that story ‘Invisible“?” Jessica asked.
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“I started it,” Ava said. “It’s kind of depressing.”
“But really good,” Sarah added. “Like, scary good for a middle schooler.”
“I feel bad for whoever wrote it,” Madison said. “They must have serious family problems.”
Ava nodded. “I hope they get help. Writing about stuff like that isn’t normal.”
I ate my sandwich and said nothing,
“What did you think of it, Avery?” Sarah asked.
Everyone looked at me.
“I haven’t read it yet.”
“You should,” Jessica said. “It’s intense.”
“Maybe later.”
The conversation moved on to other topics. But I noticed Ava watching me during the rest of lunch.
After school, I went straight to my room. I pulled out the magazine and found page twelve.
There it was. My story. My words. Published for everyone to see.
At the top of the page, in bold letters: “Contest Winner- ‘Invisible‘ by Anonymous.”
I read through it again. It looked different in print. More real somehow.
But also more raw.
Anyone could read this now. Anyone could recognize the details about family favoritism and invisible children.
What if my parents saw it? What if they connected the dots?
🙂)
Saturday passed slowly. I helped with chores and pretended everything was normal. But my mind kept going back to Monday’s assembly.
Ms. Rachna would call for the author to come forward. She would look directly at me. Everyone would be watching.
I could stand up. Walk to the stage. Accept the award for my writing.
Or I could stay seated. Let the moment pass. Keep my secret safe.
Sunday dinner was tense. Dad asked about school. Mom wanted to know about my grades.
“Everything’s fine,” I said.
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“You’ve been very quiet lately,” Mom observed.
“Just focusing on my studies.”
“Good. That’s what we want to see.”
Ava smiled at me across the table. “She’s being a good sister. Not trying to show off.”
“That’s right,” Dad said. “Family first.”
I nodded and finished my meatloaf.
But that night, lying in bed, I thought about Anaya from my story. About how she decided to stop being invisible.
About how sometimes you had to choose between safety and truth.
Monday morning came too fast.
I got dressed slowly. Brushed my teeth. Ate breakfast.
Ava chattered about some drama between Madison and Jessica. I barely listened.
The assembly was scheduled for third period. All morning, I felt sick to my stomach.
In English class, Ms. Rachna made eye contact with me several times. But she didn’t say anything.
When the bell rang for assembly, students filed out toward the auditorium.
“Exciting day,” Ms. Rachna said as I passed her desk.
I nodded but didn’t respond.
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The auditorium was packed with students from all grades. I sat with my class in the middle section. Ava was a few seats down, talking quietly with her friends.
Principal Elias took the stage for the usual announcements. Sports updates. Lunch menu changes. Upcoming
events.
Then he introduced Ms. Rachna.
“We have a special recognition today for our literary magazine contest winner.”
My heart pounded so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.
Ms. Rachna walked to the podium holding the magazine.
“The winning story, ‘Invisible,‘ represents everything we hope to see from our student writers. Honesty. Courage. Exceptional talent.”
She looked out over the crowd.
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“The story was submitted anonymously. But I believe the author is in this auditorium today.”
My palms were sweating.
2)
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“This young writer has something important to say. About family. About finding your voice. About refusing to stay invisible.”
She paused and looked directly at my section.
“So I’m going to ask one more time. Will the author of ‘Invisible‘ please come forward?”
The auditorium was silent except for the hum of the air conditioning.
Ms. Rachna waited. Her eyes found mine across the crowd. She raised her eyebrows slightly. A question.
This was it. My moment.
I could stand up right now. Walk down the aisle. Claim my work.
I felt my hand gripping my skirt tightening as I slowly moved one of my feet……
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
