Emma
The morning air was crisp and silver, the kind that hinted at frost, but stopped just short of it. I stood at the front door, coat buttoned, bag slung over my shoulder, my heart beating a little too fast.
For the first time in what felt like months, the weight pressing on my chest had eased. I didn't feel completely free of it, not yet, but lighter, somehow. Like I could breathe again without it hurting.
Then I saw him.
Tommy was walking up the street, hands tucked in his pockets, his hair ruffled by the wind. The sight of him, that easy walk, that familiar half-smile when he spotted me, warmed something deep inside me.
"Morning," he said when he reached me, his breath a mist in the cold air.
"Morning," I answered, and before I could lose my courage, I held out a folded piece of paper. "This is for you."
He took it carefully, like it was something delicate, his eyes flicking up to mine in question.
"It's nothing big," I said quickly. "Just… something I wanted you to have. Read it later."
He didn't open it right away, just slipped it into his shirt pocket. Then he pulled my hand into his. That small touch, so small and simple, sent a tremor of warmth through me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The world around us felt muted, softened by the low winter light.
Then he smiled, that quiet, gentle smile that had undone me from the start. "Ready?"
I nodded, and we fell into step.
The streets were wet from last night's rain, puddles glinting where the sun caught them. We didn't talk much, we didn't need to. The silence between us had changed again, no longer filled with distance, but with something easier.
When we reached the corner by the college gates, he stopped and turned to me, his breath clouding in the air.
"I've been thinking," he said. "About what you said yesterday. About Lucy."
I looked up at him, but his expression was open, steady.
"I didn't realise how it must've made you feel," he went on. "I wasn't… I never meant for you to think I liked the attention. But I get it now. I'll make it clear to her. Keep my distance."
I felt the ache in my chest loosen a little more. "You don't have to —"
"I do," he said simply. "Because you matter to me more than anything. I don't ever want you to doubt that."
His voice was quiet, but the certainty in it made my throat tighten.
The bell rang somewhere inside the building; sharp, distant. Students started spilling across the courtyard, calling to each other, laughter echoing through the morning.
I should have gone then, turned and walked into class. But instead, I reached up, touched his face lightly, and kissed him.
It was soft, not long, not showy, but enough that the world seemed to pause for a heartbeat. A few people turned to look, a few smiled or laughed, but I didn't care.
When I pulled back, his eyes were wide, surprised. His cheeks were pink, though whether from the cold or the kiss, I couldn't tell.
"I'll meet you for lunch," I said, smiling.
He stared at me for a moment, still slightly dazed and then his grin broke through, bright and boyish and full of relief. "Yeah? Can't wait."
As I turned and walked toward my class, I could still feel his gaze on me. For the first time in weeks, my steps felt light, the kind of light that comes when a shadow finally starts to lift.
Tommy
I stood there for a long moment after she'd gone inside; the noise of the courtyard fading into a blur.
That kiss; the way she'd leaned up, her hand trembling just slightly against my cheek, the way she'd looked at me after; it was heavenly.
She'd kissed me at college. In front of everyone. Emma, who hated attention, who always blushed when someone even hinted at us being together; she'd done that.
And I couldn't stop smiling.
I took the note from my pocket, unfolding it carefully. Her handwriting curved across the page, soft and familiar.
Thank you for never giving up on me. For loving me when I forget how to love myself. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I promise I'll try to believe I do.
Love, Emma.
The words blurred for a moment as my chest tightened. I folded it again and slipped it safely back into my pocket, like it was something sacred.
For the rest of the morning, I couldn't focus on anything; not the lesson, not the chatter around me. Even when Lucy came over with her usual bright smile, her words barely registered.
I'd already made my decision. When class ended, I caught up to her by the lockers.
"Lucy," I said quietly.
She turned, surprised. "Hey, Tommy. What's up?"
"I just wanted to say…" I rubbed the back of my neck. "You're nice. But I think maybe… I gave you the wrong idea."
Her smile faltered. "Wrong idea?"
"I've got someone," I said simply. "Someone who means everything to me."
She blinked, then gave a small, awkward laugh. "Oh. Yeah. Of course. I didn't mean —"
"It's okay," I said gently. "I just wanted to be clear."
By lunchtime, I was back in the courtyard. Emma was already there, sitting on the bench with two sandwiches and two cups of tea.
When she saw me, she smiled; not the tired, careful one she'd worn lately, but something softer, warmer.
I sat down beside her, close enough for our shoulders to brush. "Hey."
"Hey," she said, handing me a sandwich. "You're here."
I grinned. "Told you I would be."
She looked up at me then, her eyes clear in the pale winter light, and for the first time in months, it felt like we were back; the world quiet and steady and ours again.