Andrea spent three days thinking.
Three days barely sleeping.
Three days replaying every conversation she had ever had with Matthew.
Every argument.
Every rumor.
Every glance across a classroom.
Every stupid crush-filled moment she'd carried for years.
And every conversation with Samuel.
The rooftop.
The lake.
The rain.
The kisses.
The heartbreak.
By Friday morning, her head hurt.
Her chest hurt.
Everything hurt.
But one thing became clear.
She needed an answer.
Not for Samuel.
Not for Matthew.
For herself.
Because she couldn't keep standing between two doors forever.
Sooner or later—
One had to close.
Lunch break was a disaster.
Teresa slammed her hands on the table.
"Matthew."
Diana immediately pointed at her.
"No. Samuel."
"Matthew."
"Samuel."
"Matthew."
"Samuel."
Andrea dropped her head onto the desk.
"I regret telling you anything."
Neither listened.
Teresa turned dramatically toward Andrea.
"You've liked Matthew forever."
Diana rolled her eyes.
"And Samuel actually sees her."
Teresa gasped.
"And Matthew doesn't?"
Diana crossed her arms.
"He noticed when someone else did first."
"Ouch."
"Am I wrong?"
Teresa hesitated.
"...No."
Andrea groaned loudly.
"Can both of you stop discussing my love life like it's a football match?"
The girls immediately looked guilty.
For about two seconds.
Then started arguing again.
Andrea walked away.
Best decision of the day.
Matthew stood near the windows after school.
Waiting.
Trying to look calm.
Failing completely.
Andrea noticed immediately.
His leg kept bouncing.
His hands wouldn't stay still.
And for some reason—
That made her smile.
Matthew looked up.
Their eyes met.
And suddenly he looked even more nervous.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Silence.
Matthew rubbed the back of his neck.
"So..."
Andrea laughed softly.
"So."
"You're killing me."
That made her laugh harder.
Matthew smiled despite himself.
For a second—
It felt like elementary school again.
Just older.
Taller.
More damaged.
But somehow still them.
Matthew's smile slowly faded.
The nervousness returned.
Because now it mattered.
Now the answer was coming.
Andrea could feel her heartbeat in her throat.
This was it.
The moment younger Andrea dreamed about.
The moment she imagined a thousand times.
The moment she thought would never happen.
Matthew looked directly at her.
And waited.
Andrea took a breath.
Then another.
Then finally smiled.
A real one.
And quietly said:
"I'll go with you."
Silence.
Matthew blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Like his brain needed a second to process it.
Then—
"What?"
Andrea laughed.
"You heard me."
Matthew stared.
Actually stared.
Then unexpectedly laughed.
A genuine laugh.
Relieved.
Happy.
Disbelieving.
"You said yes?"
Andrea nodded.
"Yeah."
Matthew ran both hands through his hair.
Almost smiling too hard.
"Seriously?"
Andrea rolled her eyes.
"I'm not saying it again."
Matthew laughed.
And for the first time in years—
Andrea saw him completely happy.
Because of her.
For a moment neither spoke.
They just stood there smiling awkwardly.
Then Matthew shook his head.
"You know what's funny?"
Andrea raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Matthew looked out the window.
"I never thought you'd actually say yes."
Andrea stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
Matthew laughed.
"No, not like that."
"That sounded bad."
"I know."
He rubbed his face.
"I'm just saying..."
He smiled softly.
"You always seemed impossible to figure out."
Andrea snorted.
"That's because I spent years avoiding you."
"Fair."
A small silence settled between them.
Then Matthew looked at her again.
His expression softer now.
More serious.
"I'm glad you chose me."
Andrea's heart squeezed unexpectedly.
Because she knew how much those words would've meant to her years ago.
Back when she was younger.
Back before all the scars.
Back before she learned how complicated love could be.
Unfortunately—
Schools were terrible at keeping secrets.
By the end of the day, Samuel knew.
Of course he did.
Andrea spotted him near the front entrance after the final bell.
For a second—
Their eyes met.
Neither moved.
Neither smiled.
Neither looked away.
Samuel already knew.
She could see it.
The understanding.
The disappointment.
The acceptance.
All mixed together.
Andrea's stomach twisted painfully.
Because suddenly her victory didn't feel like a victory.
It felt like somebody had to lose.
Samuel looked at her for a moment longer.
Then nodded once.
Small.
Respectful.
Painful.
And walked away.
Andrea watched him disappear into the crowd.
Her chest aching.
Because she knew that nod wasn't anger.
It wasn't resentment.
It was goodbye.
At least for now.
That evening Andrea sat on the edge of her bed.
Prom dress photos open on her phone.
Messages from Teresa flooding in.
Messages from Diana flooding in.
Her sister practically screaming through text.
Everyone was excited.
Everyone was celebrating.
Everyone thought the story had finally reached its happy ending.
Andrea stared out her bedroom window.
Quiet.
Thoughtful.
Because despite choosing Matthew—
Despite getting what she'd wanted for years—
A strange feeling lingered in her chest.
Not regret.
Not happiness.
Not sadness.
Something else.
Something she couldn't name yet.
And deep down—
She had a feeling the hardest part of the story hadn't happened yet.
Not even close.