---
Chloe stood staring at George.
Her eyes were wide with shock.
The whispers around her began to grow louder, and all eyes were fixed on her.
Suddenly,
Micheal stepped forward one step and stood in front of Chloe, as if trying to protect her with his body.
He said in a firm tone, addressing George: "Enough mockery, George."
George raised his head,
and looked at micheal with a steadiness no one had ever seen from him before.
And he said in a sincere voice: "I am not mocking. I am serious. I have always loved Chloe, not for months, but for a full year. I used to look at her from afar…"
"And I am ready to change for her, to become someone else, someone better."
Chloe was standing behind micheal.
She was looking at his broad back.
She felt safe despite the turmoil in her heart.
Around them, everyone began murmuring in astonishment: "Wow… I can't believe it, this is a real confession."
After a heavy moment of silence.
Chloe stepped forward one step, appearing from behind micheal.
She looked directly at George and said in a calm voice: "If you are ready to change for the better because of me… then I will accept your confession."
George froze in his place, shock spreading across his face.
He had not expected this response, and he was not prepared for it.
Even micheal quickly turned toward her and said with concern: "Chloe… I know you're scared, so tell the truth."
Chloe slowly shook her head and said firmly: "No, I am serious. If George will change because of me, then I don't mind."
At that moment, in front of everyone's eyes, George began to cry.
He did not try to hide his tears.
He let them fall to the ground.
He remembered the first day he saw Chloe, how she shone in his eyes without realizing it.
How he loved her from that moment, but never once managed to confess his feelings.
Out of fear, or perhaps pride.
----
Mikel stood between them for a moment.
Then he sighed deeply and stepped toward George, placing his hand firmly on his shoulder.
He said in a low voice that carried a clear threat: "If you hurt her… I will kill you."
Then he turned and left,
leaving George and Chloe behind.
Chloe stepped toward George and smiled a warm smile.
She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and began gently wiping his tears.
At that moment, George suddenly lunged forward and hugged her in front of everyone.
Chloe was shocked at first, stiffening in his arms, then she closed her eyes slightly and finally smiled,
allowing the embrace to continue amid whispers and soft laughter around them.
---
Elsewhere in the school.
Lavinia was walking down the hallway, looking for Rocky.
"I'm serious this time… I'm going to confess to him. I want to change this situation."
Her steps were fast,
and her heart was pounding hard.
Suddenly, time seemed to stop in her eyes.
In the long hallway crowded with noise and laughter,
she saw Rocky standing with that blonde girl.
He was smiling, lightly playing with her yellow hair, while she tried to stop him as she laughed.
Lavinia felt an intense anger ignite in her chest.
She looked at them,
and without hesitation, she boldly stepped toward them and grabbed Rocky's hand firmly.
She said in a clear voice: "Rocky, I've been looking for you."
Rocky was surprised, his eyes widening, and even the blonde girl looked closely at Lavinia,
her hatred showing without any attempt to hide it.
Rocky said with slight nervousness: "Uh… Lavinia."
He felt confused and did not know how to explain the situation.
Lavinia looked at him seriously and said directly, without beating around the bush: "Rocky, there is something I want to tell you."
A short silence fell.
---