The days started to feel… lighter. At least, for Liam. Not completely. Not perfectly.
But lighter than before. "…You're walking too fast." Liam slowed down slightly. "…You're just slow."
Sofia let out a small laugh as she caught up beside him. "Or maybe you're just in a hurry to get away from me."
"…If I was, I wouldn't be walking with you." She smiled at that. "Fair point." The two walked side by side along the quiet street.
The sky above them was painted in soft shades of orange and pink. A calm evening. Peaceful. "…It's been a while since we walked like this," Sofia said softly.
"…Yeah." Liam glanced ahead. "…Back then, you used to talk more." Sofia raised an eyebrow.
"Used to?" "…You still talk a lot." "Wow. That's not a compliment." "…It's not supposed to be."
She laughed again. And just like that. The silence between them wasn't awkward. It was comfortable.
Easy. "…You've changed," Sofia said after a moment. Liam frowned slightly. "…How?" She looked at him carefully.
"…You think more now." "…That's normal." "Not like this." He didn't respond immediately.
Because she wasn't wrong. "…Things happen," he said quietly. Sofia nodded slightly.
"…I figured." She didn't push further. Didn't ask more questions. And somehow. That made it easier for him.
"…But you're still kind," she added. Liam blinked. "…What?" "You still do things for people without noticing."
"…I don't." "You do." "…Like what?" Sofia smiled softly. "You slowed down earlier." Liam paused for a second.
"…That doesn't count." "It does." "…You're overthinking it." "Maybe." She shrugged lightly. "But I like that about you."
Liam didn't reply. But his steps slowed just a little more. Meanwhile. Back at school earlier that day. Mandy sat at her desk, watching the clock.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Every second felt louder than usual. "…Where is he?" The thought came naturally.
Without thinking. Without stopping herself. She glanced toward Liam's seat.
Empty. "…He left early again…" Her chest tightened slightly. "…With her." The realization came immediately.
And so did the feeling. That same uncomfortable pull in her chest. "…This again…" She placed her hand lightly over her heart.
"…Why does it feel worse now?" Because now. She knew where he was. And who he was with.
"…Mandy." She looked up. Mark stood beside her desk again. "…You've been quiet," he said.
"…Have I?" "You have." Mandy looked down for a moment. Then. "…Do you think people can change that quickly?" she asked.
Mark frowned slightly. "…What do you mean?" "…Like… one day they're there…" "…And the next day, they're not."
Mark didn't answer immediately. Because he understood what she meant. "…People don't change that fast," he said.
"…Then what is it?" Mandy looked at him. "…What makes someone suddenly act like that?"
Mark met her gaze. "…Maybe they didn't change." "…What?" "…Maybe they just stopped hiding how they really feel."
Mandy froze slightly. Because that answer. Felt too real. "…And sometimes," Mark added quietly,
"…it takes losing something for people to realize what it meant." Mandy's chest tightened again.
Stronger than before. "…Losing something…" Her voice was barely a whisper. Meanwhile.
Liam and Sofia stopped at a small crossing. The light was still red. They stood side by side.
Quiet. But not uncomfortable. "…Hey," Sofia said softly. "…What?"
She looked at him. "…Are you okay?" The question was simple. But this time. It felt different.
Not like before. Not like something he needed to avoid. Liam looked ahead. Then let out a small breath.
"…I'm getting there." Sofia smiled. "…That's good enough." The light turned green.
They started walking again. Side by side. Same direction. Same pace. And for the first time in a while. Liam didn't feel like he was forcing himself forward. It just… happened naturally.