Chapter 4: The eyes of Marcus Hartman

Clara sat in her French literature class, her attention fixed on the professor as he discussed the intricacies of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. The soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of pages were the only sounds in the room. Clara, as always, sat towards the back, preferring to remain unnoticed. Despite her intelligence and beauty, her shyness often kept her in the shadows.

Today, however, was different. From the moment she entered the classroom, she had felt eyes on her. Glancing sideways, she realized it was Marcus Hartman, one of the most handsome and wealthy boys at Rosewood Academy. He was known for his charm and intellect, and Clara had always thought he was cute and smart. But she never considered he could even look at her.

During the lecture, Marcus kept stealing glances at Clara, his gaze lingering longer than usual. When their eyes met briefly, he flashed her a warm, confident smile. Clara's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

As the class drew to a close, the professor assigned the next reading and dismissed them. Clara gathered her books, trying to steady her nerves. She was almost out the door when Marcus approached her, his smile now more inviting and genuine.

"Clara, right?" he asked, his voice smooth and friendly.

She nodded, surprised and a little flustered. "Yes, that's me."

"I'm Marcus," he said, though she already knew that. "I noticed you've been really engaged in the discussions. It's refreshing to see someone so passionate about French literature."

Clara's blush deepened. "Oh, thank you. I just really love the subject."

Marcus's eyes sparkled with interest. "Me too. Hey, I'm having a party at my place this weekend. I'd love for you to come. It would be great to get to know you better outside of class."

Clara's mind raced. A party at Marcus Hartman's house? It was an invitation she never expected, and it left her both excited and nervous. "I... I don't know. I'm not really the party type."

Marcus's smile didn't waver. "I understand, but it's just a casual get-together. I'd really like you to be there. Think about it, okay?"

Clara nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll think about it."

"Great," Marcus said, his smile widening. "I'll see you in class next time, then."

As he walked away, Clara's heart pounded in her chest. She had always admired Marcus from afar, but never imagined he would notice her, let alone invite her to a party. The prospect of attending both thrilled and terrified her, and as she made her way to her next class, she couldn't help but wonder what the weekend might hold.

Clara's friends were all excited about her going to Marcus Hartman's party this weekend. Jessica, Emma, and Sophie surrounded her at their usual spot on the patio, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Clara, this is amazing!" Jessica exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "Marcus Hartman invited you to his party! This is huge."

Emma nodded, her usual calm demeanor replaced by a rare smile. "We're all going with our other friends, but it's great that you'll be there too. It won't be the same without you."

Sophie grinned, nudging Clara playfully. "You know we always wanted you to come to these parties. You're going to have so much fun."

Clara smiled, but her nerves were evident. She had never attended parties like this with her friends. She always feared being left out because no one at school, besides her tight-knit group, actually liked her. The idea of being in a room full of people who usually ignored or judged her was daunting.

"But what if I don't fit in?" Clara voiced her concerns, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jessica squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You have nothing to worry about. We'll be there with you the whole time. Plus, Marcus invited you himself. That means something."

Clara's thoughts drifted to Marcus. The way he had looked at her, the warmth in his smile, and the genuine interest in his eyes gave her a flicker of hope. Maybe this could be different. Maybe she could finally break free from the shadows and be seen for who she really was.

"I guess you're right," Clara said, a tentative smile forming on her lips. "Marcus did invite me. I should give it a try."

Emma nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit. You never know what might happen."

Sophie leaned in, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "And who knows? Maybe you'll finally have your first kiss with Marcus."

Clara's cheeks flushed at the thought. She always had a crush on Marcus, his charm and intelligence making him the perfect gentleman. The idea of having her first kiss with him sent a flutter through her heart.

"Maybe," Clara said softly, a mixture of excitement and nerves in her voice. "I guess we'll see."