The exams continued one after another.
Math. Science. History.
Each day, the classroom felt quieter and more serious.
During revision time before the Physics paper, Anna was reading her notebook carefully. Physics still confused her sometimes.
Oliver leaned forward slightly. "Did you understand the last chapter?"
"Not fully," Anna admitted softly.
He moved his chair a little closer. "It's easy. Look… just remember this formula first."
For ten minutes, he explained patiently. Anna listened carefully.
Later, during History revision, it was Anna's turn.
"You're forgetting the dates again," she said.
"I hate dates," Oliver complained.
She smiled slightly. "Just remember the sequence. I'll tell you a trick."
They were helping each other quietly, like last year.
Nothing too obvious.
Just simple teamwork.
But someone was watching.
Sophia.
At first, she didn't say anything.
But Anna started noticing small changes.
Whenever Oliver came near Anna to ask something, Sophia became unusually quiet.
When Oliver laughed at something Anna said, Sophia's smile faded just a little.
One afternoon, during a free revision period, Oliver was standing beside Anna's desk discussing a question.
Sophia was sitting two benches away.
Anna accidentally glanced at her.
And for the first time, she saw it clearly.
Jealousy.
Not anger.
Not hatred.
Just… something uncomfortable in her eyes.
Anna's heart sank.
She suddenly became aware of everything.
The way Oliver leaned closer to hear her explanation.
The way he smiled while thanking her.
The way Sophia was pretending to read her book but wasn't turning any pages.
After Oliver returned to his seat, Sophia walked over casually.
"What were you guys talking about?" she asked, trying to sound normal.
"Physics formula," Anna replied calmly.
"Oh," Sophia said shortly.
The air felt slightly different.
Anna didn't like it.
She didn't want this.
She didn't want friendship to feel complicated.
That evening, while revising alone, Anna thought deeply.
Maybe she should step back again.
Maybe helping too much was creating misunderstandings.
Because one thing hurt more than her own feelings —
The idea of losing her friend.
And for the first time, Anna realized…
Love isn't always painful.
Sometimes, friendship makes it harder. 💕