The classroom felt quieter than before. Even after Liam left. The tension didn't disappear. It stayed. Right between them.
"…It's my start." Mandy's words echoed softly in the room. Mark stood still for a moment. Then let out a slow breath.
"…Your start, huh." He repeated it quietly. Not mocking. Not angry. Just… thinking. "…So that's where you are now." Mandy looked at him.
"…Mark—" "…Don't," he said gently. His voice stopped her. "…Let me talk first."
Mandy nodded slightly. Mark ran a hand through his hair. "…I knew something was off." "…From the moment you started acting differently."
He looked at her directly. "…I just didn't think it was this." Mandy lowered her gaze. "…I didn't realize it either."
"…Yeah," Mark muttered. "…That seems to be a theme with you lately." The words weren't harsh. But they carried weight.
"…So let me ask you clearly," he continued. "…Do you like him?" The question came without hesitation.
Direct. Unavoidable. Mandy's heart tightened again. "…I don't know yet." She gave the same answer.
Because it was still the truth. Mark nodded slowly. "…Right." "…You don't know." He looked away for a second.
Then back at her. "…But you're chasing him." Mandy flinched slightly. "…I'm not—"
"You are." His voice was calm. Firm. "…You're waiting for him." "…You're talking to him." "…You're trying to understand something that involves him."
"…That's chasing," Mark said quietly. Mandy couldn't deny it. Because when he said it like that. It was true.
"…And where does that leave me?" he asked. The question was softer now. But heavier than anything else.
Mandy looked at him. Really looked at him this time. "…Mark…" "…Say it properly." He didn't look away.
"…Don't avoid it." Mandy's chest tightened painfully. Because this. Was something she couldn't delay anymore.
"…I don't want to hurt you," she said softly. Mark let out a small, humorless laugh. "…Too late for that."
"…I just—" "…You just don't know," he interrupted. "…I get it." His voice softened slightly. "…But that doesn't make it easier."
Mark stepped closer. Not aggressively. But with purpose. "…I need to know where I stand." The words were clear.
"…Am I someone you're choosing—" "…Or someone you're keeping just in case?" Mandy froze.
Because that question. Was the one she feared the most. "…I would never—"
"Then prove it."
"…I can't answer you properly right now," Mandy admitted. Her voice was barely steady. "…Then that's your answer."
Mark stepped back. Not angry. Not shouting. Just… certain. "…I'm not going to compete for you," he said quietly.
Mandy's eyes widened slightly. "…What?" "…I'm not going to stand here and wait while you figure out if you like someone else."
His voice remained calm. But every word hit hard. "…That's not fair to me." Mandy's chest tightened again.
"…I know…" "…Do you?" He looked at her directly.
"…Because if you did. You wouldn't be asking him for a chance."
She had no answer for that. Mark exhaled slowly. "…I like you." The words were simple. But firm.
"…Not in a confused way." "…Not in a 'I need time to figure it out' way." "…I chose you." Mandy's eyes trembled slightly. "…And I thought you chose me too."
That one. Hurt the most. "…I'm sorry," Mandy whispered. Her voice broke slightly. "…I didn't mean for this to happen."
Mark shook his head. "…It doesn't matter if you meant it or not." "…It still happened." Silence filled the room again.
Long. Painful. Final. "…So what now?" Mandy asked softly. Mark looked at her for a moment.
Then. "…Now?" He let out a small breath. "…Now I stop standing in a place where I don't belong."
Mandy's heart dropped. "…Mark…" "…I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty," he added. "…I'm saying it because I respect myself."
The words were calm. But unwavering. "…If you figure things out. Then that's your decision."
He picked up his bag. "…But I won't be here waiting for it." Mandy couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Because deep down.
She knew he was right. "…Take care, Mandy." Mark's voice softened slightly at the end. Then he turned. And walked away.
The door closed quietly behind him.
Leaving Mandy alone again. "…I really did hurt him…" Her voice was barely audible. She slowly sank into her seat.
Her chest heavy. Her thoughts louder than ever. But even through that. One thing remained clear. She had chosen to move forward.
And now. She had to face everything that came with it.