The classroom door slid open. Liam looked up immediately. Mandy and Sofia walked back in together.
Calm. Quiet. Nothing seemed different at first glance. But something… felt different.
"…What was that about?" Liam asked as Sofia returned to her seat.
Sofia placed her bag down casually. "Just a conversation." "…About?"
She glanced at him. Then smiled faintly. "…Something important." Liam frowned slightly.
"That doesn't answer anything." "It's not supposed to." "…You're annoying."
Sofia laughed softly. "I've been told that before." Liam leaned back in his chair, still watching her.
"…Did she say anything weird?" Sofia tilted her head slightly. "…Define 'weird.'" "…About me."
She paused for a moment. Then answered honestly. "…She's trying." Liam blinked.
"…Trying?" "…To understand." He looked away. "…That's too late."
Sofia didn't respond immediately. "…Maybe," she said softly. "…But that doesn't mean it's meaningless."
Liam stayed silent. Because part of him. Didn't want to hear that.
Meanwhile. Mandy returned to her seat. Mark glanced at her the moment she sat down.
"…You talked to her?" he asked quietly. "…Yeah." "…And?" Mandy paused for a second.
"…She's honest." Mark frowned slightly. "…That's it?" "…That's enough." He studied her expression carefully.
Because something had changed. She wasn't restless anymore. Not confused in the same way.
Instead. She looked… focused. "…Mandy," Mark said. "…Yeah?" "…What are you going to do now?"
The question was simple. But it carried weight. Mandy looked down at her hands.
Then slowly clenched them. "…I'm going to figure things out properly." Mark's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…What does that mean?" Mandy looked at him. "…It means I won't run away anymore."
Silence.
Mark didn't respond right away. Because he understood what she was saying. And more importantly.
What she wasn't saying. "…Does that involve him?" The question came out quieter this time.
Mandy hesitated. Then. "…Yes." That single word. Was enough. Mark leaned back slightly in his chair.
"…I see." His voice was calm. But something in his eyes shifted. Something tighter.
More serious. Classes continued. But the atmosphere in the room felt different now.
Not loud. Not obvious. But subtle. Like something had started moving beneath the surface.
After class. Mandy stood up slowly. She glanced toward the window. Liam was packing his things again.
Sofia beside him. The usual. But this time. Mandy didn't hesitate. She walked toward them again.
"…Liam." He paused. "…What is it?" His tone wasn't cold. But it wasn't warm either.
Just… neutral. Mandy took a small breath. "…Can I walk with you?" The question caught him off guard.
"…What?" "…After school," she added. "…Just for a bit." Silence. Sofia glanced between them.
But didn't interrupt. Liam frowned slightly. "…Why?" Mandy met his gaze.
"…Because I want to understand." Her voice was calm. Steady. Different from before.
Liam stared at her for a few seconds. Trying to read her. Trying to figure out what had changed.
"…You said you didn't understand your feelings," he said. "…I still don't," she replied.
"…Then why now?" Mandy didn't look away. "…Because I want to." The answer was simple.
But real.
Liam's hand tightened slightly around his bag strap. "…You're making this difficult," he muttered.
"…I know." "…Then stop." "…I won't." That answer. Caught him completely off guard.
Sofia smiled faintly to herself. "…This is new," she thought. Liam let out a slow breath.
"…I have plans," he said. "…With her?" Mandy asked quietly. A brief pause.
"…Yeah." Mandy nodded slightly. "…Then I'll wait." "…What?"
"…Until you don't." Liam stared at her. "…You're serious?" "…Yes."
Her answer didn't waver. Not even a little. For the first time.
Liam didn't know what to say. Because this version of Mandy. Was someone he wasn't used to.
Someone who didn't step back. Someone who didn't hesitate. "…Do whatever you want," he said finally.
Then walked past her. Sofia stood up, following after him. But before she left. She glanced at Mandy.
"…You've changed," she said softly. Mandy didn't respond. But her eyes were steady.
"…I had to," she whispered. At the back of the room. Mark watched everything. From the moment Mandy stood up.
To the moment Liam walked away. "…So it's starting," he muttered. His expression darkened slightly.
Because now. This wasn't just confusion anymore. It was something real. And it was something that could break everything.