The final bell rang. Students quickly packed their things. Laughter filled the room again. Plans for after school echoed everywhere.
But Mandy stayed seated. Still. "…I said I'd wait." Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.
She didn't look toward Liam. Didn't watch him leave. Because she already knew. He would go.
With Sofia. And yet. She stayed. Minutes passed. One by one, the classroom emptied.
Until. She was alone. The sunlight shifted slowly across the floor. Golden. Soft.
Time moved quietly around her. But she didn't move at all. "…This is harder than I thought."
She let out a small breath. Her chest tightened again. But this time. She didn't run from it.
She held onto it. "…I'm not leaving." Outside. Liam and Sofia walked side by side again.
The same road. The same quiet evening. "…You're distracted," Sofia said casually.
"…Am I?" "Yes." "…I'm not." "You are." She glanced at him. "…You keep looking back." Liam frowned slightly.
"…I'm not." Sofia smiled faintly. "…You don't have to lie." Liam let out a small breath.
"…She said she'd wait." "…I know." "…She's serious about it too." Sofia nodded.
"…She is." Liam ran a hand through his hair. "…Why now?" "…Maybe because she finally understands something," Sofia said softly.
"…Or maybe she just doesn't want to lose it." Liam stopped walking. Sofia paused beside him.
"…Lose what?" he asked quietly. Sofia looked at him. "…You."
The word lingered. Heavy. Real. Liam looked away. "…She never had me."
"…Are you sure?" He didn't answer. Because for a moment. He wasn't sure anymore. Back in the classroom.
The sky had started to darken. Mandy still hadn't moved. "…How long has it been…?" She didn't check the time.
Didn't want to. Because if she did. She might lose her resolve. "…Just a little longer…"
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Mandy's heart skipped slightly. She looked toward the door.
"…Is it him?" The door slid open. She stood up immediately. But.
"…Oh." It wasn't Liam. It was Mark. "…You're still here," he said. "…Yeah." Mark stepped inside slowly. "…You're really doing this." "…I said I would."
Mark looked at her for a moment. "…For him?" Mandy hesitated. Then.
"…For myself." The answer was quiet. But honest. Mark exhaled slowly. "…And what about me?"
The question landed heavier than expected.
Mandy froze. "…Mark…" "…I'm serious," he said. His voice wasn't angry. Just… real. "…Where do I stand in all of this?"
Silence filled the room. Because this. Was something she couldn't avoid. Not anymore.
"…I don't know yet," she admitted softly. Mark's expression tightened slightly. "…That's not a good answer."
"…I know." "…But it's the only honest one I have right now." Silence again. Mark looked away for a moment.
Then back at her. "…You're going to hurt someone," he said quietly. Mandy's hand tightened slightly.
"…I already did." Mark didn't respond. Because he knew.
She was right. "…I'll wait with you," he said after a moment. Mandy looked at him, surprised.
"…You don't have to." "…I know." He leaned against the desk beside her. "…But I want to." Silence.
Not tense. Not calm either. Just… uncertain.
Outside. Liam stood still for a few seconds. Then. "…I'll go back," he said quietly.
Sofia didn't look surprised. "…I thought so." "…You're not going to stop me?" She smiled slightly.
"…Why would I?" Liam looked at her. "…Because you know what this means."
Sofia nodded. "…I do." "…And?" She shrugged lightly. "…I still want to see what you'll choose."
Liam stared at her for a moment. Then turned around. "…You're really something else."
Sofia laughed softly. "I've been told that before." Back in the classroom. Mandy stood still.
Her heart beating faster now. "…This is it…" She didn't know what would happen next.
Didn't know what he would say. Didn't know what she would feel. But this time.
She wasn't running. Footsteps echoed again. Closer. Familiar.
Mandy's breath caught slightly. The door slid open. And this time.
It was him. "…You're still here." Liam's voice was quiet. But real. Mandy looked at him.
"…I said I'd wait." Their eyes met. And in that moment. Everything felt different.