Invisible opens with a splash page of Conrad Middle School and the sun shining down over it. Sara, Dayara, Miguel, Nico, and Jorge, the story’s five protagonists, are sitting in the principal’s office, and none of them are sure why. A man who does not speak Spanish at all is brought in to question them about the events that led up to April 18, and their principal urges the man not to reveal too much about the reason for this interview. The interviewer assumes that all the students are from Mexico, when in truth only Sara is. Nico is Venezuelan, Jorge (who goes by George) is Puerto Rican American, Miguel is Dominican, and Dayara is Cuban. The students’ expressions become increasingly irritated when the man becomes suspicious of their habit of translating for one another; he also makes assumptions about them before getting to know them. Both Nico and Dayara do not speak English, and George takes the lead in talking to the interviewer.

George begins trying to explain the events which led up to April 18. A double splash page shows the Conrad Middle School cafeteria bustling with students just over two weeks before the interview is taking place.