THE LIBRARY
A faint buzz interrupted her sleep, waking her up. Elise blinked, glancing at her smartwatch.
Samuel's name lit up the screen with a message that read, "Elise, can we meet? It's important."
Still a bit muddled, she typed out a quick reply, "Sure, where?"
The reply came swiftly, leading her to an empty classroom tucked away in the hallway of the class 5 corridor.
She gathered her tablet into her bag, reluctantly leaving her forgotten nap behind as she set off to find out what was so urgent.
As she left the library, her departure didn't go unnoticed.
Max's keen observation skills caught Trent's eyes locked onto Elise's retreating figure.
She nudged Trent, urging him to catch up to her and finally address the tension that had been festering between them.
Bri finally walks up to Max as the male leaves the library.
Max's voice had a hint of worry.
"Hopefully, they both can finally settle their differences."
Bri's gaze shifted between Max and Trent, a swirl of emotions in her eyes.
She leaned into Max's embrace, finding solace in her touch. "We can only hope."
Trent's hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway as he followed Elise's trail.
His heart raced, a mix of anticipation and nervousness making his pulse quicken.
He rounded a corner just in time to see me turn into the hallway where Samuel stood waiting for the grey haired female.
His breath caught in his throat, his eyes locking onto the scene before him.
Walking side by side, Elise and Samuel engaged in a conversation in hushed voices.
Trent leaned against a nearby wall, hidden from our view, struggling to process the rush of emotions that surged within him.
He clenched his fists, his heart aching as he witnessed our interaction.
He was too late again.
The sight of the, together triggered a mixture of emotions he had been suppressing for far too long.
A pang of jealousy twisted in his chest, mingling with the fear of rejection and the weight of his unspoken feelings.
With a heavy heart, Trent turned away from the scene, his footsteps carrying him down the hallway.
He needed a moment to gather his thoughts.
***
Curiosity mingled with confusion as Elise walked into the room, her blue eyes searching Samuel's.
Standing before her, his usual confidence replaced by a mix of anxiety and desperation.
"Elise, I needed to see you," he said.
Her brow furrowed, wondering what could make him this nervous.
"Samuel, what's wrong?"
He took a hesitant step forward, his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides.
"Things have been going well between us these days, right?"
Elise answered confused. "Yeah?"
"Just give me a chance, Elise. We can go back to how we used to be. I'm willing to do better. Remember that I promised to change and I have."
Her eyes bore into his in disbelief. "You can't be serious, Samuel. I thought we agreed to be just friends."
Desperation laced his words, his voice cracking. "I know, but Eli, can't you see how well we fit. You're so important to me. I want you."
An intense silence hung between them.
And then, with a sudden burst of boldness, Samuel leaned in, trying to prove their connection by capturing her lips in a kiss.
Startled, Elise pulled away, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Samuel, what are you doing?"
Her voice quivered.
Samuel's words stumbled over each other in his haste to apologize.
"I thought if I could just... show you... that we work. Did you feel the tingles I felt?"
Her tone turned sharper, hurt spilling into her words. "You just kiss me out of nowhere and expect everything to be alright!"
His hand reached out to her. "Elise, I didn't mean to— I just want you to see..."
"Stop!" Her voice cracked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You can't keep doing this, Samuel."
She shook my head, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. "Its so sad because I wanted to let byegones be freaking bygones."
Elise ran my fingers through her hair. His head tilted slightly in confusion.
"I know about Kun, Samuel".
His eyes widened at her words. The pieces of the puzzles started coming together in his head.
"It was a one time thing"
He lied through his teeth, which only angered me more.
He definitely thinks I am stupid to believe that.
Elise turned to leave, the heaviness of her emotions threatening to consume her.
Before she could escape, Samuel's fingers closed around her arm, stopping her. "Wait, Elise, you can't just leave me. You can't just throw three years away like that"
She looked his square in the eyes, her voice icy. "Watch me."
Elise pulled her wrist out of his grasp, remorse mingling with desperation on his face.
As she walked away, she realized at that moment that she wasn't angry because of the cheating but at herself for not seeing what kind of person Samuel was.
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Meanwhile, Trent found himself at the poolside, staring at the still water.
His mind was filled thoughts, replaying the scene between Elise and Samuel.
His eyes stared down at the black ink drawn along his arm, disappearing under his white sleeves.
Footsteps broke through his space, and he looked up to see Elise's tear-streaked face as she entered the pool area.
The sight of her distress pierced him, but she was so lost in my own turmoil that she didn't even realize he was there.
As she moved towards his direction, Trent's gaze lingered on her, torn between his desire to comfort her and the weight of his own unresolved feelings.
The sound of his footsteps draws Elise back to reality.
She wiped away her tears, struggling holding a bold front. "I-I... I'm sorry. I thought this place was empty. I'll leave--"
Trent stopped her. "Wait. Stay."
Silence ensues, only the sound of water is heard.
The smell of chlorine irritated her nostrils. Her crystal eyes fill with tears as she gazed at him.
He pulled her suddenly into his embrace.
"Come here."
She cried out her heart in his arms.
"It hurts," She finally managed to say in between sniffles.
"I know," Trent replied, his voice filled with empathy.
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