They walked the path home at an unhurried pace, the sun sinking behind the hills, stretching shadows across the dirt trail.
Mr. Dand walked a little ahead with his bike, his hand resting lightly on the handlebar as it rolled beside him.
Artur and Billy followed just behind, the sound of their steps mingling with the soft rustle of wind through the trees.
For a while, no one said a word.
It wasn't an awkward silence, but a thoughtful quiet—one that settles after something unspoken stirs.
Billy glanced sideways at Artur, his brows faintly drawn—like he was walking in two worlds at once: the one around them, and the one behind his eyes.
"You ever picture yourself in a classroom?" Billy asked gently, tone light but not teasing.
Artur's mouth curved slightly, but the smile didn't quite form. "Not really. Used to wait outside the gates for Mom to finish work. That was enough of a classroom for me."
Billy nodded. "But you didn't say no back there."
