Ever since the trip to Khare village, something inside Rowan shifted, like the change in seasons, but it grew louder, heavier with every day. He couldn't explain it.
It was Lynette. She stayed in his mind like a melody that refused to leave, soft, haunting, warm. Her voice, her laugh, the way her eyes looked when she smiled, each memory came back in the moments when he least expected it. Her presence had carved a space inside him, and now that she wasn't around, that space felt hollow.
School started like nothing had changed, but for Rowan, his days felt longer, slower. Even the guitar, his safe haven, no longer gave him the peace it once did. He plucked the strings, but every note reminded him of her, the way her hands moved when she played the guitar, how she sang. The noise in class, the jokes, things that used to annoy him now faded into the background. All he could hear was her.
He found himself, without even thinking, tracing the bracelet she gave him at the village market. Her voice echoed again in his mind, " Here, because you have been a good boy lately." He smiled, rubbing the beads gently with his thumb.
Does she still remember that? Does she think about me the way I think about her? What is she doing right now… is she in class? Sleeping? Eating? Rowan sighed and rubbed his hand through his hair.
Just then, one of his classmates leaned over and tapped the bracelet. "Hey, what's this? Looks handmade. Where did you get it?"
Rowan's face hardened instantly. He stood up, brushing the hand off."Don't touch that," he snapped before storming out of the room.
Everyone stared, stunned. Rowan wasn't the kind to lash out. He barely even spoke unless needed. His friend looked down awkwardly. "Guess it meant something important…"
Rowan sat outside, breathing in the fresh air to calm his racing thoughts. He glanced around the school yard, his eyes landed on a group of girls laughing over a strawberry cake. That made him chuckle. She would love that. He remembered how she had smiled the last time they ate the cake, sneaking bites. "Lynette…" he murmured. "What do I do with this?"
Days passed. One after another. But it dragged on painfully for Rowan.
It's only Wednesday… When will I see her again? I just want to talk to her. Just once. That's normal… for a friend, right?
He was brushing his hair in frustration when he noticed his mom packing up a box near the kitchen.
"I'll just drop this at the church real quick," she said.
Rowan turned, eyes lighting up."I'll take it," he blurted.
His mom raised a brow. "You? Weren't you buried in schoolwork?"
"I finished it," he replied, a little too fast, already heading to his room to change. She didn't question it.
As he threw on his jacket, he stopped in front of the mirror, scowling. "What are you doing, Rowan?" he muttered, embarrassed at himself. Still, he grabbed the bag and hopped onto his scooter.
There was a shorter road to the church, but he didn't take it. He found himself circling the longer path that passed Lynette's house. Maybe… just maybe, he told himself. Even a glimpse would be enough.
He slowed as he came near her home, heart pounding, eyes scanning the balcony, but it was empty.
Disappointed, he drove toward the church.
But then…
As if the universe took pity on him, he spotted a familiar figure walking slowly near the park. Her long hair flowed softly behind her, and the golden sunset bathed her in warm light. She was limping slightly, but she smiled at something Toto did, and Rowan's heart clenched.
She looked like a dream. That smile… why does it make me feel like this? he wondered, helpless. He couldn't take his eyes off her. At first, he just watched, thinking he would be okay with just the moment. But his feet moved on their own.
He pulled the scooter over, removed his helmet, and walked toward her.
He didn't even have anything planned to say. He just wanted to be near her.
To see her smile again, this time, up close.
After walking Lynette home that evening, Rowan felt like his entire body was too light to carry. His feet moved, but his heart stayed behind on that park bench, next to her.He couldn't stop smiling. And for someone like Rowan, who rarely smiled in public, let alone without a reason, it was... obvious.
When he stepped inside the house, his mother blinked in surprise."Rowan?" she squinted. "Did something happen at church? You're smiling like you won the lottery."
He glanced over quickly, trying to adjust his face. "W-What? No, Mom. What do you mean? I always smile like this."
She crossed her arms with suspicion. "No, you don't."
Rowan scratched the back of his head, trying to hide the growing blush on his cheeks as he mumbled, "It's nothing."
But his mother didn't push. She only chuckled to herself, as if she already knew.
During dinner, Rowan sat at the table, still lost in thought, spoon hovering over his food, that same smile tugging at his lips.His mom narrowed her eyes. "Who is making my son smile like this, hmm?"
He coughed. "No one. No one."
Then suddenly, without warning, the atmosphere turned more tender.
"Mom," he said softly."Mm?"
"Can I… ask you something?"She nodded, curious.
Rowan hesitated, lowering his voice. "Can I transfer to Denver High School?"
His mother stopped mid-bite. "Rowan?" she said cautiously. "Did something happen? Are you being bullied? You barely opened up in this school, if you change now, especially in your final year, I'm just worried you'll be alone again. Your grades are fine. I am just worried about you."
Rowan looked down at his bowl. Then he whispered the truth.
"Mom, I am not getting bullied, it's just I heard, teachers there are really good and their notes are easy to understand, that's why that school is always top in the province exam and.....there..... Lynette also goes there, so I won't be alone."
His mother blinked. "Wait, Lynette? My future daughter-in-law?" she teased.
Rowan flushed. "Mom…"
A soft smile grew on her face. "Well, if she goes there, I guess you won't be alone." She sighed in mock defeat. "Alright. I'll go to your school tomorrow and help with the transfer."
He got up and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mom. Really."
She was surprised. Rowan had never asked for anything before. And now, for the first time, she saw something bright in his eyes, something like… hope.
That night, Rowan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, hugging his pillow like a fool.Now I'll get to see her every day, he thought. I'll tell her this Friday… I'll tell her I'm transferring schools.
But fate had other plans.
On Friday, he showed up at church early, nervous but excited, rehearsing what to say."Hey Lynette… surprise?" No, no, too weird."I'm transferring to your school!" Too straight… ugh.
Then Ella came, her face serious."Lynette had an accident."
Rowan didn't wait for details. His heart dropped.
Without a word, he ran to his scooter and took off, Ella's voice still fading behind him."Please be okay… Please…" he murmured over and over as he rode, gripping the handles tightly.
When he saw her at the hospital, her leg bandaged, bruises faint on her cheek, his heart clenched painfully. His heart felt like it was gonna explode. He held his chest, breathing heavily. She's hurt. She might be in so much pain.
That night, Rowan couldn't sleep.
The next morning, the kitchen was noisier than usual. His mom walked in to find him, still in pyjamas, hovering over the stove.
"Rowan? What are you doing?"He jumped. "I...I was just… making porridge."
"For Lynette?" she said, smiling knowingly.
Rowan looked flustered but nodded."Yeah."
She chuckled. "I already marinated some chicken for stew last night. Take that too, it'll help her heal faster."
"Thanks, Mom."
Rowan tried to remember how Lynette made her porridge that day in Khare village, simple, cozy and warm. But cooking was way harder than it looked. He had never chopped vegetables before. He wasn't even sure if they were the same size. But still, he took his time, carefully slicing, boiling, stirring, thinking about her the entire time.
He packed it with care and rode his scooter to her house. But when he got there… he froze.
He stood outside, the warm container in his handsWhat if she thinks it's weird? What if she thinks I'm too much? Clingy? What if she doesn't want this… doesn't want?
His hands trembled slightly.
He could walk in, ring the bell, and just say it's from his mom. Simple.But the fear was loud.
In the end, he gave the food to her mom, who accidentally came outside at the door.
The bracelet on his wrist shifted slightly as he tightened his hand into a fist. It was warm from his skin, soft from wear, and somehow... comforting. A little piece of her with him.
He didn't know what this feeling was supposed to become. He wasn't even sure if he had the right to feel it this deeply. But he knew one thing for certain.
He wanted to protect that smile.
Even if she never knew he waited outside her door, or took the long way to church just to get a glimpse of her on the balcony. Even if she never looked at him the way he was starting to look at her.
He would still be there.
Because somewhere along the way, without warning or permission, Lynette had become the soft ache in his chest, the kind that didn't hurt, but reminded him he was not alone.
And maybe… just maybe… that was enough for now.
He looked up at the sky, the faint light brushing the rooftops.
"See you soon, Lynette," he murmured.
Then he turned and walked away, quiet, steady, and smiling to himself.
His first day of school, Rowan stood outside the classroom door of Denver High, heart pounding in a way it never had before, not even during his music performance. His fingers clenched the strap of his bag. Inside, he could hear the hum of student chatter, chairs scraping, and a few girls giggling.
The moment he entered, the room seemed to pause. Whispers bubbled up. Eyes turned. Some jaws dropped. The girls blushed. Even a few boys nudged each other, clearly stunned by his presence.
But Rowan's eyes searched for only one person.
And then, there she was.
Lynette.
Trying to hide behind her textbook, like she didn't want anyone to notice her. But Rowan noticed. Of course he did.
His heart started to beat fast, not from nervousness, but from warmth.