March 21 – St. Ivy High, Class 1-A (After School)
Jay stood by the window, arms crossed, watching cherry blossoms fall one by one like pale pink snow. His reflection in the glass stared back—calm, unreadable. The classroom was empty now. Quiet.
Except for the sound of footsteps.
Soft ones.
He didn't turn. Something told him who it was.
And then—without warning—arms wrapped around his waist from behind.
Not tightly. Not forcefully.
Gently.
Jay blinked. "Emma?"
Her forehead pressed softly between his shoulder blades.
"I waited," she whispered.
He didn't move. Not out of shock—but because if he did, the moment might break.
"For what?" he asked, voice low.
"For this," she said.
The Unspoken
They stood like that for a while.
The late afternoon sun spilled through the windows, warm and quiet, like it, too, was holding its breath.
Emma didn't let go.
Jay placed a hand over hers—uncertain, hesitant—but didn't pull away.
"You've changed," she said.
Jay smiled faintly. "Everyone keeps saying that."
"It's true."
"I didn't mean to."
"I know." She pressed her cheek against his back. "That's what scares me."
Jay turned slowly. Her hands slipped from his waist, but only just.
She looked up at him, eyes tired but bright. Brave, but soft. "You were gone for so long."
"I know," he said. "I didn't want to be."
"Then why were you?" she asked, barely a whisper.
Jay hesitated.
"I had to be," he said. "There are things I can't talk about."
Emma's eyes flickered. "Can't… or won't?"
He didn't answer. Because he didn't know.
The Seat by the Window
They sat side-by-side at the desk near the window—Jay's old seat, the one he'd always claimed without thinking.
Emma glanced at it. "Feels like it still belongs to you."
He shrugged. "I don't think I belong anywhere these days."
Emma turned toward him. "That's not true. You belong here."
Jay looked at her, unsure whether to believe it.
"You always pulled people together," she continued. "Even when you didn't try. Especially when you didn't try."
"I thought I was just causing problems," Jay said. "That maybe things got better when I left."
Emma's laugh was quiet and sad. "No. They just got quieter."
The Aftermath
Jay leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at his hands.
Emma watched him closely.
"You were the first person who saw me," she said softly. "Not the smart girl. Not the perfectionist. Me."
Jay looked at her. "And what do you see when you look at me now?"
She didn't blink.
"I see someone trying very hard to carry something he shouldn't have to," she said. "Someone who left to protect everyone else… but forgot to protect himself."
Jay swallowed. That one hit too close.
"I missed you," she said.
"I missed you too."
Silence again. This time warmer. Heavier.
"Did you think about us?" Emma asked.
Jay turned slowly. "What do you mean?"
She took a breath. "I mean… when you were gone. When everything was quiet. When you didn't have to pretend. Did you think about me?"
Jay didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "I tried not to."
Emma's face fell slightly.
"But I did anyway," he added. "More than I should have."
She looked at him again, eyes wide.
"Then why didn't you call?" she asked.
Jay looked out the window. "Because if I heard your voice, I might've come back too soon."
Emma's voice broke just a little. "And what would've been wrong with that?"
"I wasn't ready," he said. "I'm still not sure I am."
The distance between them had shrunk.
Jay could hear her breathing now—light, shallow. Hopeful.
Their hands touched between them. Hers, cool and uncertain. His, warm but trembling.
He looked into her eyes.
She looked back.
And for a moment, the world held still.
Jay leaned forward, but stopped an inch away.
Emma didn't move.
His forehead touched hers.
"I'm still figuring things out," he whispered.
Emma nodded. "Then take your time."
The Bell That Didn't Ring
They stayed like that—close, quiet, almost something—for a while.
Outside, the Sakura tree shivered in the wind.
The classroom lights had dimmed, and the hallway beyond was empty.
Finally, Emma pulled back. Just slightly.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"For not rushing."
Jay smiled. "You've waited this long."
Emma stood and picked up her bag. She walked to the door, paused, then looked back.
"I'm still here, you know," she said. "Waiting doesn't scare me."
Jay nodded.
"See you tomorrow?"
Emma smiled. "You better."
Jay stood there long after.
He walked to the window again, watching the sky shift to blue-gray dusk.
He touched the glass.
He wasn't alone anymore.
Not really.