The air felt different after that.
Heavy.
Like something had changed… and couldn't go back.
She finally stepped back.
This time, properly.
"I'm leaving," she said quickly.
He didn't stop her.
But his eyes followed her.
"All this… and you're just walking away?" he asked.
She paused.
Her back still facing him.
"What else am I supposed to do?" she whispered.
He didn't answer immediately.
Because honestly—
He didn't know either.
She turned slightly.
"Nothing happened," she said.
Like she was trying to convince herself.
He let out a small laugh.
"Nothing?"
He stepped closer again.
Not too close this time.
But enough.
"You couldn't even say you don't feel anything," he reminded her.
Her heartbeat picked up again.
"Just… stop," she said.
But her voice wasn't strong.
"Stop what?" he asked.
"Looking at me like that."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Like what?"
She looked at him for a second—
Then looked away again.
"Like… I matter."
That hit differently.
He went quiet.
For the first time—
He didn't have a teasing reply.
"You do," he said finally.
Simple.
No attitude.
No smirk.
She froze.
That wasn't what she expected.
"Don't say things like that," she whispered.
"Why?"
"Because…" she hesitated,
"…I might start believing it."
Silence.
Again.
But this one felt soft.
He took one slow step closer.
"If it's true… then what's the problem?"
She looked up at him.
Eyes a little confused.
A little scared.
"The problem is…" she said,
"…you and me don't work."
"Who decided that?" he asked.
"Everything," she replied.
"Our fights… the way you are… the way I am…"
He interrupted her.
"Or maybe we just haven't tried."
That made her heart skip.
Before she could reply—
Voices came from outside.
Students.
Coming their way.
She quickly moved away from him.
Putting distance between them.
Like nothing happened.
A group walked past the shelter.
One girl glanced at them.
Then whispered something to her friend.
Both of them smiled.
She noticed.
Her expression changed instantly.
Great.
Now people were going to talk.
She looked at him, slightly angry again.
"This is exactly why," she said.
"What?" he asked.
"This. People. Drama."
He didn't seem bothered.
"Let them talk."
"It's not that easy for me," she snapped.
He looked at her more seriously now.
"And it is for me?"
That shut her up.
For a moment—
They just stared at each other again.
But this time, the feeling was different.
Not soft.
Not calm.
Complicated.
She took a step back.
"I'm going."
This time—
She didn't stop.
He watched her leave.
Rain gone.
But something else left with her too.
He ran a hand through his wet hair.
Muttering to himself—
"This is going to be a mess…"