The next morning felt different. Not because everything was okay. But because Mandy had made a decision. She stood in front of the school gate for a moment, taking a deep breath.
"…No more running away." The words were quiet. But firm. Yesterday. She cried.
She broke down. She finally faced something she had been avoiding.
And today. She would take a step forward. Even if it hurt. The classroom buzzed with its usual noise.
Students talking. Laughing. Moving around. Mandy stepped inside.
And like always. Her eyes found him. Liam sat by the window. Sofia beside him. Talking again.
But this time. Mandy didn't stop. Didn't hesitate. Didn't look away. She walked straight toward them.
"…Mandy?" Liam said, surprised. Sofia turned as well. Her gaze calm. But attentive. Mandy stopped in front of them.
"…Good morning," she said. Her voice was steady. Different from before.
"…Morning," Liam replied slowly. Sofia smiled slightly. "Good morning." A brief silence followed.
But this time. It wasn't as heavy. "…Can I talk to you?" Mandy asked. Liam tensed slightly.
But before he could answer. Mandy continued. "…Not you." She looked at Sofia. "…You." Liam blinked. "…What?" Sofia tilted her head slightly. "…Me?" Mandy nodded.
"…If that's okay." There was no hesitation in her tone. Just honesty. Sofia studied her for a moment.
Then smiled gently. "…Sure." She stood up. "…Let's go somewhere quieter." They walked out into the hallway.
Side by side. Not close. But not distant either. Just… careful. "…You're different today," Sofia said calmly.
Mandy let out a small breath. They stopped near the window at the end of the hallway.
Soft light poured in. Quiet. Private. "…So," Sofia said, turning to her. "…What did you want to talk about?"
Mandy met her gaze. For a second. She almost hesitated. But then. "…You know about Liam, right?"
Sofia didn't look surprised. "…A little." "…Then I'll be honest." Mandy's voice softened.
But didn't shake. "…I didn't understand my feelings before." Sofia listened quietly. "…I thought everything was normal."
"…But when he changed…" Mandy's hand tightened slightly. "…I realized something was missing."
Silence. "…And now?" Sofia asked gently. Mandy lowered her gaze for a moment. Then looked back up.
"…Now I think… I might have hurt him." Sofia's expression softened slightly. "…You probably did."
Mandy flinched. But she didn't deny it. "…Yeah." "…But that's not all, is it?" Sofia added.
Mandy hesitated. Then. "…I don't know what I feel yet." Her voice was quiet.
Honest. "…But I know it's not something small." Sofia nodded slowly. "…That's a good start."
"…Is it?" "…Yes." She leaned slightly against the window. "…Because most people don't even get that far."
Mandy looked at her. "…You're calm about this." Sofia smiled faintly.
"…Should I not be?" "…I'm talking about Liam." "…I know."
Mandy's chest tightened slightly. "…Doesn't that bother you?" Sofia paused.
Just for a second. Then. "…A little." Mandy blinked. "…Really?"
Sofia laughed softly. "I'm not as perfect as you think."
Then her expression softened again. "…But I also understand something." "…What?"
Sofia looked at her directly. "…He's not someone you can rush."
Mandy stayed silent. Listening. "…If you really want to understand your feelings—"
Sofia continued, "…Then do it properly." "…Properly?"
"…Don't rely on how he used to treat you." "…What do you mean?" "…Because that version of him…"
She paused slightly.
"…isn't coming back the same way." The words hit gently.
But clearly. Mandy looked down. "…I see…" "…If you want to reach him again," Sofia added,
"…it has to be as you are now." Silence filled the space between them.
Mandy slowly nodded. "…Thank you." Sofia smiled.
"…For what?" "…For being honest." Sofia shrugged lightly. "…I prefer it that way."
Back in the classroom. Liam sat quietly in his seat. His eyes glanced toward the door. "…What are they talking about…"
He muttered under his breath. For some reason. He felt uneasy. Not because he didn't trust Sofia.
But because. He didn't know what would change after this. In the hallway. Mandy took a small step back.
"…I'll figure it out," she said softly. Sofia nodded. "…Take your time." Mandy turned slightly.
Then paused. "…Sofia." "…Yeah?" "…Do you like him?" The question came out suddenly.
Direct. Sofia blinked. Then smiled. "…What do you think?"
Mandy didn't answer. But her chest tightened slightly. Because she already knew.
The answer wasn't simple.