She hadn't meant to keep watching him.
At least, that's what she told herself.
Lucas Cole walked ahead of the class toward the sports ground, posture relaxed, hands in his pockets, sunlight falling across his shoulders.
That wasn't how she remembered him.
Back then, he used to walk slightly hunched. Eyes lowered. Careful not to draw attention.
Now
He didn't avoid it.
And that unsettled her.
People don't just change like that, she thought.
Yet here he was.
Her Thoughts, Uninvited
She remembered the summer.
The confession.
The look on his face when she had laughed no, when she had spoken sharply. When she had made sure he understood the gap between them.
Poor kids shouldn't dream so high.
That was what she had meant.
But now… that memory didn't feel as satisfying as it once had.
Why?
She clenched her fingers.
Why does he look like he doesn't care anymore?
And worse
Why did that bother her?
Sports Period Begins
The physical education teacher clapped his hands loudly.
"Alright! Warm-up lap! Three rounds!"
Groans spread instantly.
Lucas jogged forward without complaint.
The first lap separated people quickly.
By the second
Whispers began.
"Is he… fast?"
"No, wait—he's not even breathing hard."
Lucas's stride was smooth, controlled. Not flashy. Not explosive.
Just efficient.
He didn't push ahead to show off.
He simply didn't slow down.
By the third lap, most students were struggling.
But Lucas finished quietly and stood to the side, stretching his shoulders.
Someone stared openly now.
"That guy's stamina is insane…"
The Gap Becomes Clear
Next came push-ups.
"Twenty!" the teacher called.
Lucas lowered himself.
One.
Two.
Three.
His movements were clean. Controlled.
No shaking arms. No uneven rhythm.
Some students stopped at twelve. Some at fifteen.
Lucas finished all up to fifty.
Then stood up calmly.
A few boys glanced at him, eyes sharp now.
That wasn't admiration.
That was comparison.
And comparison always bred jealousy.
Praise and Poison
"Did you see that?"
"He wasn't even tired…"
"That's not normal, right?"
A girl near the benches whispered, impressed.
Another scoffed. "Probably just trying to show off."
Lucas heard none of it.
But Intent Perception painted the picture clearly.
Respect
Curiosity
Envy
Irritation
And from her
A tight, conflicted pressure.
hatred.
Not disgust.
And Something worse.
Regret mixed with disbelief.
She Watches Him Closely
When the class lined up again, she stood a few places behind him.
Her eyes followed the lines of his back.
Stronger.
Broader.
Not exaggerated.
Just… real.
She waited.
For him to glance back.
To acknowledge her.
To prove that he still cared.
He didn't.
He spoke casually with another student. Listened. Smiled faintly.
That smile wasn't for her.
And that
That stung more than open rejection ever could.
Since when… did I become the one being ignored?
As class ended, Lucas picked up his bag and walked off with the same calm confidence.
No glance.
No hesitation.
No revenge.
Just distance.
She stayed behind for a moment, staring at the ground.
Her chest felt strangely tight.
I didn't think he'd really move on.
And somewhere deep inside, a thought surfaced one she didn't want to admit.
If I met him now… would he even like me anymore?
The answer terrified her.
Because she already knew it.