Youd never have guessed it, but Iris was the quietest guest at Marinas birthday party. The girls had been classmates at college, and Marina had invited practically everyone she could think ofthough most of the girls had already gone home for the weekend to their villages. Iris, shy and unassuming, decided to go anyway. She never went out, and shed just turned eighteen too, just like Marina. Only, Iris hadnt bothered with a proper celebration of her own
She didnt really have close friends, and her parents had convinced her to keep things low-keyjust a quiet family dinner with her grandparents.
“Birthdays at five and eighteen feel exactly the same,” she thought glumly.
Of course, she loved her family, but she couldnt help wondering when shed finally feel grown-up and independent. When would someoneanyonenotice her quiet beauty, her softness, her femininity?
Iris dreamed of love but was too shy to put herself out there. She wasnt bold like Marina or her best mate, Sophie. Those girls wore makeup, dressed stylishlysometimes even daringlyand got the occasional telling-off from their lecturers for it.
Meanwhile, Iriss mum still picked out her clothes, and her gran knitted her jumpers. Gran would get miffed when Iris barely wore them, but honestly, who could blame her? Those old-fashioned sweaters only came out at homeand only in winter.
Tonight, Marinas flat was packed with about a dozen college mates. Once the food was gone and the dancing started, Iris slipped out and sat on a bench near the building. No one even noticed shed left.
She was nervous around the unfamiliar lads, though truth be told, none of them had even glanced her way. Maybe that was what stung the most.
She checked her watch. “Should probably head home,” she thought. “Mumll worry if Im late”
Just then, a bloke stepped out of the buildingnot one of Marinas guests. He sat at the far end of the bench and sighed, staring at Marinas second-floor window where the music and laughter spilled out.
“You from up there?” he asked suddenly. She nodded toward Marinas window.
“So, hows Marina then? Dancing? Having a laugh?” His eyes were sad.
This time, Iris dared to ask, “Why? Cant you hear it? Yeah, theyre having fun.”
“Course they are. Its a birthday, innit?” He shrugged. “Mine was rubbish. Didnt even celebrate. Just tea and cake with the family. Like being back in primary school.”
Iris blinked. “Same here. Are you friends with her?” She motioned toward the window.
“Sort of. I mean, Id like to be, but she doesnt notice me. Didnt even invite me tonight, and weve been neighbours for ages. She *knows* how I feel about her.”
He trailed off. Iris sighed in understanding, then suddenly said,
“Dont worry about it. I get it too. Whats the point? No one ever notices. I just walked out, and no one cared. Might as well be invisible. If I disappeared tomorrow, no oned bat an eye.”
“Come off it,” he tried to reassure her. “Though maybe youve got a point. Guess some people just arent lucky, like us.”
“No, its not luck. Were just easy to overlook. But maybe thats not so bad. Theres a kind of freedom in it.”
“You reckon?” He looked surprised. “Im Paul, by the way.”
“Iris.”
They sat a while longer, listening to the music, both sneaking glances at the windowhalf-hoping Marina might lean out and call them back inside. But no one did.
“Nice meeting you,” Iris said politely, “but Id better go. Promised Mum I wouldnt stay out late.”
“Let me walk you a bit. At least to the bus stop.”
They strolled through the park, chatting, both smiling without realising. Paul suddenly felt like his attention *mattered* to hershe was blushing, her long lashes fluttering when he looked at her.
So he joked around, telling every funny story he could remember from his short life, just to hear her bright laugh, just to keep her there a little longer.
At the bus stop, Iris thanked him and said goodbye, but Paul wouldnt leave until her bus came. And Iris? She *might* have let the first one pass on purpose.
As she climbed onto the second bus, she waved at Paul like theyd known each other for years.
He stood there long after shed gone, unable to movespellbound by this sweet girl with the expressive eyes and dimpled smile.
Walking home, it hit him: he *had* to see her again. But he hadnt got her number or address. Was that weird? Too soon?
The next morning, Paul rushed to Marinas flat.
She opened the door, scowling. “Not this again. Im *not* going out with you, Paul.”
“Nah, its not that,” he stammered. “I need your mates number. The one who was here last night. She left something on the bench.”
“Who?”
“Iris.”
“Iris? Oh, *Iris*.” Marina smirked. “Well, well. Hang on.”
A minute later, she handed him a scrap of paper.
“Romeos got a crush. Didnt think she had it in her,” Marina teased before shutting the door.
Paul clutched the note like a treasure and bolted home.
He spent all day rehearsing what to say. That evening, he called Iris.
He asked her out againpromised ice cream. To his delight, she agreed instantly, her voice even softer over the phone. Or maybe he just imagined that.
They walked through the park, ate ice cream, and talked for hours. Turned out, they had loads in common.
“Next time, its my turn,” a newly confident Iris said as they parted. “But were not going to the parkwere seeing a film. Fancy it?”
From then on, they were inseparable. Cinema trips, museum visits; a year later, they were travelling together, already practically engaged.
Two years after that bench, they married.
Iriss mum fretted she was too young, but her gran just said,
“Good on you, love. Found your match and stuck with him. Thats how it should be. No need to fuss about. A lad like Paul? Keeper. He treats her like goldwhat more could you want?”
“Whod have thought?” her classmates murmured. “Quiet little Iris, first to tie the knot. And hes over the moon.”
And they *were* over the moon. Iris and Paul had found in each other exactly what theyd dreamed ofunderstanding, care, and love.
Years later, theyd still smile, remembering that bench by the buildingthe one that brought them together for life.
