⭐ CHAPTER 8 — The Walk Home
(Author POV — long and dramatic)
The hallway was unusually quiet after the office chaos. Students who had been whispering earlier suddenly pretended to be minding their business as Amara and Kyle stepped out together.
Amara walked fast, wanting to escape the stares, the pity, the curiosity — all of it.
But Kyle kept up easily.
He didn't try to grab her hand.
He didn't touch her.
He just walked close enough that she could feel his presence beside her — protective, warm, steady.
"Amara," he said softly, "slow down."
"I'm fine," she muttered.
"You're not."
She didn't answer. She kept walking, faster this time.
Kyle sighed quietly.
"Ama, talk to me."
That made her stop.
She turned around, eyes sharp and tired.
"Why do you care? This is fake, remember? One month. That's it."
Kyle stared at her — something unreadable forming in his expression.
"Fake doesn't mean I don't care," he said.
She looked away quickly.
Because if she looked at him too long, she'd believe him.
And she couldn't afford that.
"Kyle… it was embarrassing," she whispered. "Everyone thinks I'm the problem. Everyone thinks I'm desperate for you."
Kyle's jaw tightened.
"You're not," he said firmly. "You never were."
"Vanessa made it look like I'm obsessed—"
"And Jonah made it worse," Kyle added, voice lower and angrier.
"He knew what he was doing."
Amara hugged her arms around herself.
"Jonah used to… follow me around sometimes. It made me uncomfortable."
Kyle stopped walking.
"What?"
She hesitated — then nodded.
"I didn't want to make it a big deal. I just avoided him."
Kyle's face darkened with a heat she'd never seen before.
"He should've never gotten involved," he said. "I swear, if he tries something again—"
"Kyle," she interrupted gently. "Let it go. Please. I don't want more drama."
He swallowed, still tense.
"Fine," he said. "For you."
They reached the school gate.
The air outside was warm, the sky glowing orange like the world was calming down after the storm of the day.
Kyle turned to her.
"I'll walk you home."
Amara blinked. "No, you don't have to—"
"I know," he said. "I still want to."
She hesitated.
"But people will see—"
"Let them."
Kyle's voice was calm but strong.
"Vanessa already lied enough. I'm not giving her more power."
Amara exhaled softly and started walking.
Kyle matched her pace.
For a while, they didn't talk.
Their footsteps were the only sound, soft rhythms against the dusty road.
Then, unexpectedly, Kyle said:
"I didn't know Jonah liked you."
Amara raised an eyebrow. "Why does it matter?"
Kyle kicked a small stone on the road, annoyed.
"It just… makes things clearer," he muttered.
"About what?"
Kyle didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he said:
"About why he lied. About why he helped Vanessa."
His voice dropped.
"About why he doesn't like me near you."
Amara stared ahead.
"I didn't ask him to like me," she said quietly.
"I know," Kyle said.
"People don't choose who they like. They just… do."
Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten.
They reached a quieter street.
No students, no gossiping voices, no Vanessa.
Just them.
Amara walked a bit slower.
Maybe because she didn't want the walk to end too soon.
Kyle noticed.
"Ama," he said suddenly, "I meant what I said in the office."
She frowned. "Which part?"
"That I don't want to lose you… even if this is fake."
Her heart stuttered.
"Kyle… you're confusing things," she whispered. "This is a pretend relationship."
"I know."
"Feelings aren't supposed to get involved."
"I know."
"You said no catching feelings. No real emotions."
Kyle stopped walking.
She stopped too.
He looked at her with soft, tired eyes — not playful, not teasing.
"Ama," he said, "I'm trying not to feel things. I swear I am."
Her breath hitched.
"But you're not making it easy."
Silence.
The type that feels too loud.
Amara looked away quickly.
"Kyle… you're misunderstanding. I'm not—"
"You don't have to feel the same," he cut in gently.
"I'm not asking you to."
She stayed quiet.
Kyle took a step closer — not touching, just near — warm enough for her to feel his presence.
"I just need you to know," he continued softly,
"that what Vanessa did today? It wasn't your fault. None of this drama is your fault."
Amara's throat tightened.
"Then why does it feel like it is?"
Kyle shook his head.
"You're the calmest person in the entire school," he said. "You mind your business. You don't gossip. You don't fight. The only reason all this is happening is because people can't handle the fact that I'm close to you."
Amara's eyes moved to his — slow, unsure.
"Why are you close to me, Kyle?"
Kyle didn't hesitate.
"Because you're the only person who sees me… without all the noise."
The honesty in his voice almost frightened her.
She stepped back slightly, overwhelmed.
"Kyle… please don't make this complicated."
He nodded slowly, though his eyes softened with something she didn't want to name.
"Okay," he said quietly.
"If you want it simple… I'll keep it simple."
They continued walking.
The sky darkened.
Streetlights blinked on.
Their shadows walked side by side.
When they reached her gate, Kyle stopped.
"Ama," he said softly.
She turned.
"Tomorrow… stay close to me. Vanessa won't try anything when I'm around."
Amara hesitated.
She didn't want to rely on him — but the truth was, she felt safest when he was there.
"Okay," she whispered.
Kyle gave her a small smile.
Not his usual confident one.
A softer one.
Almost vulnerable.
"Goodnight, Ama."
"Goodnight, Kyle."
She stepped inside and closed the gate gently.
But Kyle stayed outside for five full seconds.
Looking at the gate.
Thinking.
Then he whispered to himself:
"She doesn't see it yet."
And walked away.