CHAPTER VIDEO THAT BROKE THE SCHOOL
Ethan didn't sleep.
The video replayed in his mind over and over.
Lia… Ryan…
That moment.
That kiss.
His grip tightened around his phone again.
"I don't understand…" he muttered. "What is this supposed to mean?"
His chest felt tight.
Not just anger.
Something worse.
Confusion.
The next morning came too fast.
School was louder than usual.
Too loud.
Whispers followed Ethan everywhere he walked.
People stopped talking when he passed.
Phones were out.
Eyes were on him.
He frowned.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Then he saw it.
A group of students crowded near the lockers.
"Have you seen the group chat??"
"It's everywhere already!"
"Ryan and Lia?? They're actually trending in school—"
Ethan stopped walking.
His heart dropped slightly.
"…what?"
He pulled out his phone.
Opened the class group chat.
And there it was.
The video.
Lia crying.
Ryan holding her.
The kiss.
Clear.
Unedited.
Uploaded.
Ethan's fingers went cold.
"…Madison," he whispered.
At the same time.
Across the hallway.
Madison stood with her friends.
Smiling like nothing happened.
"She looked so broken," one girl laughed.
Madison tilted her head slightly.
"I just shared what everyone already saw," she said calmly.
Ethan walked straight toward her.
Fast.
Madison noticed him coming but didn't move.
When he stopped in front of her—
His voice was low.
Dangerously calm.
"Did you post it?"
Madison blinked slowly.
"Post what?"
Ethan stepped closer.
"Don't play dumb."
A pause.
Then Madison smiled faintly.
"If you're talking about the video…" she said softly, "then yes."
Silence.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"Why?"
Madison leaned slightly closer.
"Because now everyone can see what you lost focus on."
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"You had no right."
Madison's expression didn't change.
"I did what I had to do."
That sentence hit him wrong.
Something inside him snapped slightly.
Before he could speak again—
"Ethan."
Ryan's voice.
He appeared behind them.
Calm.
But serious.
"I think we need to talk."
Ethan turned sharply.
"You?" his voice cracked slightly with anger. "You want to talk?"
Ryan didn't flinch.
"I didn't force her," he said quietly. "You know that."
Ethan laughed once—sharp, bitter.
"Then what was that?"
Ryan paused.
Then honestly:
"A moment she needed."
That silence again.
Heavy.
Ethan stepped closer to him.
"You think that fixes anything?"
Ryan didn't answer immediately.
Then:
"No."
A pause.
"But neither does what you did."
That line hit Ethan harder than expected.
He froze slightly.
Ryan continued:
"You lost her the moment you chose not to stop what was hurting her."
Silence.
Ethan's hands clenched.
But he didn't respond.
Because deep down…
He knew Ryan wasn't wrong.
Across the hall, Madison watched quietly.
Smiling just a little.
Because this wasn't the end.
This was just the beginning of the real chaos
Lia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone.
She had watched it too many times.
Too many.
The video.
Her.
Ryan.
The kiss.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she locked the screen, but the image didn't leave her mind.
It stayed.
Like a mistake she couldn't undo.
A knock came softly.
"Lia?"
Ava's voice.
This time, Lia didn't ignore it.
"…come in," she whispered.
The door opened slowly.
Ava stepped inside and immediately noticed her expression.
Not just sadness.
Confusion.
Heavy confusion.
"You didn't go to school," Ava said gently, sitting beside her.
Lia nodded slightly.
"I couldn't."
A pause.
Then Ava's eyes shifted slightly.
"…I saw something," she said carefully. "In the group chat."
Lia froze.
Ava didn't say it harshly.
She just asked softly:
"…you kissed someone?"
Silence.
That question hit differently.
Because Lia didn't even fully understand it herself.
Her voice came out shaky.
"I don't know why I did it."
Ava didn't judge her.
She only asked:
"Was it Ryan?"
Lia nodded slowly.
Another silence.
This one heavier.
Ava exhaled softly.
"Were you in love with him?"
Lia immediately shook her head.
"No."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"No… I was just— I was broken."
She looked down at her hands.
"I didn't even think."
Ava stayed quiet for a moment.
Then said gently:
"So it wasn't love."
Lia shook her head again.
"It felt like… I just needed someone to hold me before I fell apart completely."
Ava nodded slowly, understanding more than judging.
"That doesn't make you a bad person," she said softly.
Lia looked up slightly.
But her eyes were still confused.
"I don't even know what I am right now."
Meanwhile – Ryan
Ryan stood alone near the school stairs.
He had seen the reactions.
He had heard the whispers.
But his mind wasn't on the rumors.
It was on Lia.
Her face.
Her tears.
The way she held on like she was drowning.
He exhaled slowly.
"She didn't mean it like that," he muttered quietly to himself.
Not defending himself.
Defending her.
Back to Lia
Ava watched her carefully.
"You're not thinking clearly because you're hurt," she said gently.
Lia didn't respond.
Because she knew that was true.
A long silence passed.
Then Ava asked something softer:
"…do you feel safer with Ryan right now?"
Lia hesitated.
Not because she was choosing romance.
But because she was being honest.
"…yes," she whispered.
Ava nodded.
"Then stay close to whoever makes you feel safe."
A pause.
"But don't rush into anything when your heart is still bleeding."
Lia nodded slightly.
But inside…
Everything still felt messy.
Because Ethan's face still appeared in her mind.
And now Ryan's too.
And she didn't know where either of them belonged in her heart anymore.
CHAPTER 31 – THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR
Ava wanted to stay.
She could see it in her eyes—Lia wasn't okay.
Not even close.
But Lia shook her head slowly.
"…I just want to be alone," she whispered.
Ava hesitated.
"You don't have to go through this by yourself, you know."
Lia forced a small nod.
"I know… but I need time."
After a long pause, Ava finally stood up.
"Alright," she said softly. "But I'll check on you later."
Lia didn't respond, but she didn't refuse either.
And that was enough.
The next day
Lia didn't go to school.
She didn't even think about it.
Instead, she went to the principal earlier and requested a short leave.
A good student like her?
No problem.
One week granted.
Study from home.
Rest.
Recover.
But "recover" was a big word.
Because Lia didn't feel like she was recovering at all.
She woke up late that morning.
Hair messy.
Oversized long shirt hanging loosely on her body.
Barely awake.
She dragged herself to the door, rubbing her eyes with one hand.
Still tired.
Still heavy.
She opened the door without even looking properly.
"…Ava?" she mumbled sleepily.
But when her eyes adjusted—
She froze.
It wasn't Ava.
It was Ryan.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Lia blinked.
Still half-asleep.
Then reality hit.
"…Ryan?"
Ryan also paused.
Because he didn't expect her to look like this.
Messy hair.
Sleepy eyes.
Oversized shirt that made her look smaller… softer… more fragile.
And for a second—
He just stared.
Not in a bad way.
In a quiet, stunned way.
Like his brain forgot what to do.
She looks… really pretty like this…
He didn't even mean to think it.
But it came anyway.
Natural.
Unfiltered.
Lia frowned slightly, still confused.
"…what are you doing here?"
Ryan cleared his throat quickly.
"Uh…"
A small awkward pause.
Then he tried to joke lightly.
"Should I say I'm your boyfriend now or…?"
Lia's eyes widened immediately.
"What?!"
Ryan immediately raised his hands.
"I'm joking—relax."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…just forget what I said."
A pause.
"Can I come in?"
Lia hesitated.
She looked at him for a moment.
Then stepped aside slowly.
"…just don't say weird things again."
Ryan chuckled softly.
"Noted."
He walked inside.
And for the first time, he properly saw her apartment.
It was simple.
Neat.
Calm.
Nothing loud.
It suited her.
Ryan looked around briefly.
"It's nice," he said honestly.
Lia closed the door behind him and leaned slightly against it.
Still tired.
Still not fully present.
"…why are you here?" she asked again, softer this time.
Ryan turned back to her.
And this time, he didn't joke.
"I just wanted to check on you."
A pause.
Then he added quietly:
"You didn't come to school."
Lia looked away slightly.
"…I needed a break."
Ryan nodded slowly.
No pressure.
No forcing her to explain everything.
Just acceptance.
A silence settled between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… new.
Different.
Ryan finally spoke again, softer:
"You don't have to pretend you're okay."
Lia didn't answer immediately.
But her shoulders dropped slightly.
Just a little.
Like she was tired of pretending too.
And Ryan noticed that.
He didn't move closer.
He didn't push.
He just stayed.
Present.
Ryan was beginning to notice something.
Lia was too quiet.
Not the normal quiet.
This one was heavy.
Like her thoughts were too loud inside her head.
So he decided something.
He had to disturb her peace a little.
Inside Lia's apartment
Lia was sitting on the couch, hugging a pillow.
Staring at nothing.
Ryan sat opposite her, watching her for a while.
Then he said:
"Okay."
Lia blinked slowly. "Okay what?"
Ryan nodded like a serious doctor.
"I have checked your condition."
Lia frowned. "What condition?"
He pointed at her.
"Heartbreak level: extreme."
Lia sighed. "Ryan…"
He continued:
"Also, side effect includes: too much thinking, low energy, and zero interest in human beings."
Lia looked at him.
"…are you insulting me?"
Ryan shook his head fast.
"No no. I'm diagnosing you."
Lia threw the pillow at him.
"Stop diagnosing me!"
Ryan caught it easily.
"Patient is aggressive today," he said calmly.
Lia couldn't help it.
She laughed a little.
Small.
But real.
She quickly covered her mouth.
Ryan stopped talking immediately.
Then pointed at her.
"…you laughed."
Lia blinked. "No I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
Ryan stood up.
"Okay. I confirm it."
Lia frowned. "Confirm what?"
He smiled slightly.
"Your healing is starting."
Lia looked away, embarrassed but softer now.
Ryan clapped once.
"Good. Now get ready."
Lia looked up. "For what?"
He pointed at the door.
"We are going out."
Lia shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Ryan walked to the door.
"I'm not asking again."
Lia stared at him.
"…you're very stubborn."
Ryan nodded.
"Yes. It's my talent."
Silence.
Lia sighed.
"…fine."
Ryan smiled.
"Good."
Leaving the house
Lia changed into something simple.
Hoodie.
Sneakers.
Comfortable clothes.
Nothing special.
To her.
But Ryan looked at her for a second longer than usual.
Then quickly looked away.
"…you take too long," he said.
Lia frowned. "You told me to get ready."
"I didn't say become beautiful while doing it."
Lia stopped walking.
"…what did you say?"
Ryan immediately walked forward.
"Let's go before traffic gets angry."
Outside
The air was warm.
People were walking around.
Normal day.
But something felt different for Lia.
She hadn't been outside properly in days.
She walked slowly.
Ryan noticed.
Without saying anything, he moved closer.
Then—
His hand lightly touched hers.
Just a little.
Then held it.
Lia froze.
She looked at their hands.
"…what are you doing?"
Ryan looked forward.
"Helping you not get lost."
"I'm not a child."
"I know," he said. "Children are louder."
Lia looked at him.
"…that doesn't even make sense."
Ryan nodded.
"It doesn't. But it works."
Lia didn't pull away.
At the place (small restaurant/café)
It wasn't fancy.
Just a simple place.
Warm lights.
Small tables.
Calm music.
Ryan opened the door for her.
Lia stopped slightly.
"…you didn't have to do that."
Ryan shrugged.
"I know. I did it anyway."
They went in.
Some people looked at them.
Not staring badly.
Just noticing.
Because they looked… soft together.
Ryan noticed Lia getting uncomfortable.
So he said quietly:
"Don't look at them."
Lia looked at him. "Why are they looking?"
Ryan replied:
"Because they have eyes."
Lia blinked.
"…that's not helpful."
Ryan nodded.
"I know. I tried."
That made her smile again.
Small.
But real.
They sat down.
Ryan immediately picked up the menu.
"Okay. Serious question."
Lia looked tired. "What now?"
He leaned forward.
"If I order food you don't like, can I return it or do I become a criminal?"
Lia stared at him.
"…what kind of question is that?"
Ryan nodded.
"Important one."
Lia shook her head slowly.
"You're not normal."
Ryan smiled.
"Correct. That's why I survive emotionally unstable situations."
Lia laughed again.
This time she didn't hide it.
Small emotional moment
Ryan noticed.
He softened a little.
"You laugh more when you don't think too much," he said quietly.
Lia looked down.
"…I don't know how to stop thinking."
Ryan nodded.
"That's fine."
A pause.
"I'll just talk too much so your brain gets tired."
Lia looked at him.
"…that sounds like torture."
Ryan smiled.
"Yes. Friendly torture."
Then—Ethan (school)
Ethan walked through the school gates slowly.
Hands in his pockets.
Head down.
But something felt wrong.
Too quiet.
He looked around.
No Lia.
No Ryan.
He stopped walking.
"…they're not here," he muttered.
A strange feeling hit his chest.
Not loud.
Just heavy.
Like something slowly moving away from him.
He continued walking.
But his steps were slower now.
Back at café
Ryan was eating and still talking nonsense.
Lia was actually listening.
Not crying.
Not breaking.
Just… present.
And for the first time in days—
She felt a little normal.
Ryan leaned back.
"So," he said casually.
Lia looked up.
He pointed at her.
"About that first kiss situation—"
Lia instantly covered her face.
"RYAN STOP."
Ryan laughed.
"I'm joking, I'm joking."
Then he added:
"…but I still need to confirm if I should report it in my emotional case file."
Lia groaned.
"You are impossible."
Ryan smiled softly.
"Yeah. But you're laughing again."
Lia paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"…yeah."