Sunday Morning – 10:22 AM
Location: Capital Public Library, Second Floor (Quiet Wing)
The city was unusually quiet for a Sunday.
Even the cabs seemed to drive slower.
And the public library's old stone walls filtered in just enough light to make the dust in the air look like it had its own gravity.
I slid my phone into silent mode and stepped onto the second floor.
I wasn't sure who I'd see first—Sofia or Luna.
Turned out… both.
Library Moment – With Sofia and Luna
Luna was tucked into the far corner, already halfway through a thick chemistry guide and sketching in the margin without even looking at the page.
Sofia, by contrast, had a giant iced coffee, two highlighters stuck in her hair, and one earbud blasting something that sounded like chaotic pop music.
She looked up.
Grinned.
"Look what the sea dragged in."
I smiled. "Trying to pretend I'm a responsible academic, obviously."
Luna glanced up, offered a small nod, and scooted her bag aside so I could sit between them.
Scene: Studying with Sofia
Sofia handed me a flashcard.
Then, before I could flip it—
"What's your blood type and ideal kiss location?"
"Sofia."
"It's for science."
Luna: "It's not."
Sofia leaned in, whispering, "You've been all mysterious lately. A girl gets curious."
I smirked, flipped the flashcard. "Photosynthesis."
"Boring answer."
Luna placed another card on the table. "Focus."
"Fine," Sofia sighed. "But only because he looks hot when he's concentrating."
We studied.
Kind of.
For about twenty minutes.
Then Sofia poked my arm.
Softly. Seriously.
"Hey. You're okay, right?"
I paused.
Met her eyes.
Nodded.
But she still watched me like she didn't believe it.
Quiet with Luna
Later, when Sofia went to get another drink, Luna pulled out a new sketchpad and turned it my way.
A new piece.
Me.
Reading in the library.
Eyes heavy, expression calm.
But around my silhouette… a faint countdown.
Not numbers.
Just tiny clocks hidden in the lines of my hoodie.
One tucked under the fold of my arm.
One beside the edge of the desk.
"You noticed," I said.
She nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Luna didn't say much.
She didn't have to.
Evening – Garden Near Midtown
The sun was beginning to fall behind the taller buildings, casting everything in soft amber.
The garden path near my apartment was unusually quiet.
I waited on the bench near the Sakura tree where I used to sit as a kid—where Amaya used to meet me after classes in middle school.
And right on time, she walked in.
Long sleeves, messy hair, a slight smile.
Carrying two drinks.
She sat beside me without a word.
Handed me one.
We didn't talk right away.
Just sipped and listened to the wind.
Then I said it.
"After midterms, I think I'll be heading home for a while."
She turned her head, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Home?"
"Yeah. I miss my mom's cooking."
A beat.
Then she chuckled softly. "Liar."
I smirked. "A little."
But I didn't look at her.
And that told her more than I wanted.
She shifted beside me, the straw of her drink turning slowly between her fingers.
"Will you come back?"
I didn't answer right away.
I looked at the leaves. At the sky. At the fading edge of the day.
"I don't know."
The Almost Confession
Amaya stared at her hands.
They were trembling slightly.
She placed her cup down.
Turned toward me.
"Jay… I've been thinking about something."
Her voice was quiet. Careful.
Like a glass about to fall off a table.
"I've been thinking about how long we've been friends. How much I've come to rely on you. How you're always… there. Even when you shouldn't be."
I turned.
She was looking straight at me.
Eyes shining. Face tense.
"Amaya—"
"No, wait—let me say it before I lose my nerve."
She clenched her fists.
And started.
"I think I—"
But I stopped her.
Gently.
I reached out, placed my hand lightly over hers.
"Amaya," I said softly, "can we… talk about this after midterms?"
Her eyes widened.
"I don't want to stop you," I continued. "I just… I want you to focus. You've come so far this year. You're doing so well. Don't let me mess that up."
She bit her lip.
Didn't look away.
But nodded.
Once.
And whispered:
"…Okay."
We sat there a little longer.
The wind brushed our hair.
The lights began to blink on in the distance.
I didn't say what I was really thinking.
That maybe after midterms… I wouldn't be around for her to say it at all.
But she didn't say what she was really thinking either.
That maybe… she already knew.