"Freya…" Liam called seriously as they faced each other.
Her heart immediately started racing. She could feel her pulse in her ears, almost deafening. Is this it? Is he finally going to confess?
"I… I wanted to tell you something…"
Freya's world stopped. She held her breath, staring at Liam. Please, let it be me. Please, just say it…
Liam took a deep breath before speaking.
"I'm going to Japan for senior high."
It felt like cold water had been poured over Freya's chest. She froze where she stood. Her heart had been full of hope just moments ago, and now… this was a different kind of "confession."
"J-Japan?" she whispered.
Liam nodded.
"Yes. My parents have been planning it for a long time. They told me just yesterday… so I wanted to tell you right away."
Freya forced a smile.
"Oh… I-I see. Congrats, I guess…"
Liam's eyes showed a flicker of worry.
"But don't think about that just yet. It's still a while away. Let's focus on the exams first, okay?"
She nodded. "Y-yeah…"
But inside, she knew it wasn't really that far off. It was already April 10. Graduation was April 23. Suddenly, the time they had together felt painfully short.
---
The next day, their serious review continued. It wasn't just the two of them—Leiyah joined as well.
"Hey, Freya. You were so bad at math earlier!" Leiyah teased, lying on the floor holding her reviewer.
"Yeah, well, you almost copied my science answers!" Freya shot back, laughing at her friend's teasing.
Liam chuckled, sitting nearby with his notes.
"Good thing you two are here, otherwise I'd probably fail."
"Come on," Freya replied, "you're not failing. You just need a little push sometimes."
Freya noticed herself becoming more relaxed. She wasn't as nervous as she had been during their first study session. It felt like the natural closeness they used to have was slowly coming back.
Sometimes they joked, sometimes they quietly studied. And even a simple afternoon felt special to Freya.
---
After almost a whole day of review, they headed home. Leiyah ran ahead, waving and smiling, leaving Freya and Liam walking side by side.
"T-thanks, Liam," Freya said shyly. "Even though you're busy, you still studied with us."
Liam smiled—a simple smile, but enough to make her heart flutter.
"You're welcome. We can do this. Good luck on the exams, Freya."
Freya stared at him for a moment, wishing time would stop.
"Good luck too, Liam," she whispered, unwilling to let the moment end.
Before they fully parted ways, Liam glanced back.
"Freya… when all this is over, there's something I want to tell you."
Freya's eyes widened. She couldn't answer—Liam had already walked away. She was left standing there, clutching her chest, wondering: What could he possibly want to say? And will there even be time before he leaves?
She looked up at the sky on her way home. Graduation was April 23… and then he'd be gone. And my birthday is May 23… will he even make it back?
And so the day ended. Simple, quiet—but Freya felt it in her heart: they were slowly returning to what they once were—and maybe, even more. If there was still time.