Classes passed more quickly than usual. Or maybe. It only felt that way for Liam.
Because for the first time in days. His thoughts weren't stuck in the past.
"…So you seriously don't remember that?" Sofia leaned slightly toward him, resting her chin on her hand.
Her eyes were filled with amusement. Liam frowned a little. "I told you, I don't remember everything."
"That's not 'everything,'" she said, laughing softly. "That was important." "…Important how?"
Sofia tilted her head slightly. "You cried." "…What?" Liam's eyes widened immediately.
"I did not." "You did," she insisted. "No, I didn't."
"You got scared of a dog and hid behind me." "…That didn't happen."
"It did." "…I don't believe you."
Sofia smiled. That same calm, playful smile. "You were holding my sleeve the whole time."
"…Stop making things up." "I'm not." There was a short pause. Then Liam let out a quiet sigh.
"…Even if that's true, why would you remember something like that?" Sofia didn't answer right away.
Her expression softened just a little. "…Because it was you." Liam froze slightly.
"…What?" Sofia blinked, then quickly looked away. "…Nothing. Just… it was funny."
Liam stared at her for a moment. "…You're weird." She laughed again. "And you're still the same."
For a brief moment. Everything felt… easy. No pressure. No expectations. Just conversation.
Just… normal. And without realizing it. Liam smiled. A real one. Across the room.
Mandy saw it. And she froze. "…He's smiling." The words echoed in her mind.
Because she hadn't seen that in days. Not since. Before everything changed. Her eyes stayed fixed on him.
On the way he talked. On the way he looked at Sofia. On the way he smiled. "…Why does it look so natural?"
Her chest tightened slightly. Uncomfortable. Unfamiliar. "…Mandy?" She flinched slightly.
Mark was looking at her again. "…You've been staring for a while," he said. "…Have I?"
"Yes." Mandy quickly looked away. "…I was just curious." Mark didn't respond immediately.
Because this time. He didn't believe her. "…Curious, huh…" Lunch break came.
Students filled the classroom with noise again. But one thing was different. Liam didn't stay alone this time.
"…So, where do you usually eat?" Sofia asked. "Anywhere," Liam replied. "That's not helpful." "…Then near the window."
Sofia smiled. "Then I'll eat there too." "…You don't have to." "I know."
She sat down anyway. Right across from him. Liam hesitated for a moment. Then sat back down as well.
"…You're really not going anywhere, huh?" "Nope." There was no hesitation in her answer.
And somehow. That made it hard for him to refuse. "…Fine." Sofia smiled again.
Victory. They started eating together. Talking about small things. School. Old memories.
Random topics. Nothing important. But at the same time. It felt important. Because it was simple.
Because it was easy. Because it didn't hurt. From her seat. Mandy watched again.
She told herself not to. But her eyes kept going back. Again. And again. "…Why am I looking?"
She didn't understand. She had no reason to care. No right to feel anything.
And yet— "…Why does it feel like this?"
Her chest tightened again. A little more this time. "…Mandy." Mark's voice cut through her thoughts.
"…Let's go eat somewhere else." She blinked. "…Why?" Mark glanced toward Liam and Sofia briefly.
Then back at her. "…Just because." Mandy hesitated. Then slowly nodded. "…Okay."
She stood up. But before leaving. Her eyes drifted one last time. Toward Liam. And Sofia.
Talking. Laughing. Like nothing was wrong. Like everything was normal.
"…That should be me." The thought appeared suddenly. And it shocked her.
"…What am I thinking?" She quickly turned away. And walked out of the classroom with Mark. But the feeling didn't leave. It stayed. Quiet. Growing.
Meanwhile. Liam leaned back slightly in his chair. "…You talk a lot," he said.
Sofia smiled. "Only when I'm comfortable." "…So you're comfortable already?"
She looked at him for a moment. "…With you? Yeah." Liam didn't reply.
But his expression softened again. Just a little. And for the first time. The distance he built around himself… Felt like it was starting to break.