SHOW ME HOW

Chapter 8

Devin's Pov

Wearing a wig felt like putting on a mask—like I was concealing who I really was, all while knowing that the truth of my illness could slip through the cracks at any moment, leaving me vulnerable to judgment, mockery, and ridicule.

In my heart and head, I told myself I didn't care what others thought—but I also knew that feelings aren't fixed. They shift as life happens, shaped by what we go through and how it leaves its mark.

By the end of it all, most of them are just kids—and not every child is raised to understand or consider what someone else might be going through. I can't hold that against them. I know all too well that emotional maturity doesn't arrive at the same time for everyone, and not every young mind can grasp the weight of their actions on others.

Do I feel different after my new haircut?

Yeah, I do—but it's just a different kind of depression this time. The shift feels noticeable, not quite like before. Still, there's some comfort in the fact that I no longer feel out of place sitting with it.

"I hope to remain invisible today and every day for the rest of my remaining life" I muttered under my breath as I drove through the school gates.

The first people I saw were Lorenzo and his friends, parked near the school gate. I could feel their eyes drilling into the back of my skull as I stepped out of the car, but I kept my head high and pretended not to notice—because honestly, I don't care. I made my way to first period—history, of all things—and of course, they're in that class too.

As I made my way down the hallway toward History, I spotted a familiar curly red mop ahead—it could only be Emily. Sure, there are a few redheads at our school, but none with curls like hers—wild, natural, impossible to miss. She was deep in conversation with one of the football guys, too distracted to notice me at first. But when her gaze finally landed on me, her eyes practically bulged out of their sockets.

"Devin!" she blurted out, a little too loudly, just as I reached her. Her mouth hung open in disbelief, drawing a few annoyed glances from a few strays nearby.

"Good morning to you too, Emily," I said, as the guy she'd been talking to give me a casual nod.

"Ooh! I love your hair! You look gorgeous—and your eyes... wow, they're so green!" she squealed, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Thanks, Emily—but maybe dial it down a notch," I murmured under my breath, as the kids around us rolled their eyes and shuffled off to class.

"Oh! Let me introduce you—Josh, this is my friend Devin. And Devin, this is Josh... my... uh... friend. He plays football," she said, stumbling slightly on the word friend like it caught on her tongue.

"Nice to meet you, Josh," I said, extending my hand for a shake.

Josh stood tall with sun-bleached blonde hair that looked like it had never seen a bad day. His sharp blue eyes and sculpted jawline gave him that effortlessly handsome, golden-boy vibe—the kind you'd expect to see on the cover of a teen sports magazine.

"Nice to meet you too, Devin," Josh said, giving my hand a firm shake—just as Lorenzo and his crew strolled past. He still had those sunglasses on, but the tight clench in his jaw gave indicated that someone probably pissed him off.

kept my attention fixed on Emily and Josh, tuning out the passing figures.

"So, are you two coming to Jackson's beach party this Saturday?" Josh asked, flicking his gaze between us.

Are you going?" Emily asked, turning to me with a curious look.

"No, I wasn't invited... and I don't think I'd be able to make it anyway," I replied, a bit too quickly.