Omniscient Pov:

The school bell rang, signaling the start of another day. Fina made her way to her locker, her thoughts consumed with a mix of excitement and dread. It had been a whirlwind of emotions lately, from the sleepovers with Aiden to the comforting moments they shared. But today, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Maybe it was because the weekend had felt so perfect, and now she had to face the normality of school again, the mundane distractions that pulled her away from what had felt like a rare kind of peace.

As she approached her locker, she saw Aiden already talking to Ethan and Mia by the entrance. But it wasn't just them today. A new girl stood with them, laughing and chatting animatedly. Fina's heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't place why the sight of it made her stomach twist.

The girl was taller than Fina, with blonde that cascaded down her back in soft waves. She was strikingly pretty, with a confident smile and a way of speaking that made it clear she was used to attention. As Fina approached, she overheard the new girl's voice, sweet but with an edge of flirtation.

"So, Aiden," she said with a smile, "I've been hearing all about you. I'm Sophia. New around here."

Fina's breath caught in her throat. There was something about the way Sophia was looking at Aiden that made Fina feel small, as if she didn't belong in the space between them. It was almost as if she was trying to claim him, to pull him away from her in the most casual way possible.

Aiden smiled back, clearly charmed. "Hey, Sophia. Welcome to the school. I'm Aiden."

Fina bit her lip, trying to suppress the feelings bubbling up inside her. There was no reason for her to be jealous. Aiden and she were just friends—just friends. But she couldn't ignore the knot forming in her stomach as Sophia leaned closer, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear and looking at Aiden with those big, knowing eyes.

"I was thinking you could show me around, maybe grab some lunch?" Sophia suggested, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Fina's heart sank. The subtle, flirtatious tone in Sophia's voice felt like a punch to her chest. She wanted to say something, to step in, but she didn't. Instead, she turned quickly, walking past them without a word.

"Fina?" Aiden called after her, but she didn't stop.

The rest of the day dragged on. Fina tried to focus in class, but her mind kept drifting back to Aiden and Sophia. The way Aiden seemed so comfortable around her, the way Sophia's laughter seemed to echo in her ears. It wasn't just jealousy—it was the feeling of being invisible, of being replaced by someone new and shiny.

Lunchtime came, and she found herself sitting at a table with Ethan and Mia, though she wasn't really there. Her thoughts were somewhere else, consumed with the image of Aiden and Sophia walking down the hall together, laughing like they shared a private joke.

Her phone buzzed on the table, and Fina glanced at it quickly, hoping for a message from Aiden. Instead, it was a text from her mom.

Mamma💕

Hey, sweetie. How's school going? Do you want me to pick you up after lunch?

Fina's heart ached as she stared at the message. She didn't want to seem weak, but she couldn't stop the sudden wave of sadness that washed over her. The thought of being at school, watching Aiden and Sophia, felt unbearable. She needed to escape.

Mamma💕

Can you pick me up? I'm not feeling well.

Of course, darling. I'll be there in 10 minutes. Take care of yourself, okay?

Fina felt a rush of relief wash over her, but the sadness was still there, gnawing at her. She put her phone away and excused herself from the table, not wanting to explain herself to anyone.

By the time she reached the parking lot, her mom was already there, waiting in the car. Fina slid into the passenger seat, feeling the comfort of the familiar warmth around her. Isabella didn't ask questions right away, just started driving in the direction of home, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them.

When they pulled into the driveway, Fina didn't waste any time. She grabbed her bag and hurried inside, making her way to her room without a word.

Isabella followed her up, pausing at the door. "Sweetheart, what's going on? You seemed fine this morning."

Fina curled up on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. "I don't know. I just... I don't feel like I belong there. Not anymore."

Her mother sat down beside her, gently stroking her hair. "What do you mean? Is it the school, or...?"

Fina sniffed, feeling the tears threaten to spill. "It's Aiden. He's been talking to this new girl, Sophia, and she's... I don't know. She's just really pretty, and she's been flirting with him, and I don't know how to feel about it. I feel like he's pulling away from me."

Isabella's heart ached for her daughter. She had seen the bond between Fina and Aiden, the way they had grown close over the past few months. But it was clear that something had shifted in Fina, and it was hurting her deeply.

"Oh, sweetheart," Isabella said softly, wrapping her arms around Fina. "You don't have to be afraid of losing him. Aiden is your friend, and he cares about you. No one can take that away."

Fina shook her head, the tears finally breaking free. "I don't want to feel like this. I don't want to feel jealous or upset, but I can't stop it. It's like... it's like I'm invisible."

"Fina, you're not invisible," Isabella reassured her, kissing the top of her head. "You are so loved. You're amazing, and no one can replace you. Not even Sophia."

Fina sniffed, wiping her eyes. "I just... I don't want to feel left out. I don't want to feel like he's choosing her over me."

Isabella squeezed her hand. "Aiden is your friend, honey. If he cares about you like I think he does, he'll never choose anyone over you. But you also need to talk to him. Don't let this build up inside. Communication is the key, okay?"

Fina nodded, though the feeling of sadness and uncertainty still lingered. She wasn't sure what she would do next, but for now, being with her mom was enough.

As the day went on, Fina stayed in her room, lost in her thoughts. The feeling of jealousy still gnawed at her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something else was missing. Aiden's attention, the way he'd been so close to her lately, had felt so special, and now, it was slipping through her fingers. She wanted to fix it, but she didn't know how.

For now, she would have to wait.