The next day started quietly. Too quietly. At least, for Mandy. She sat in her usual seat, organizing papers like she always did.
Everything looked normal. Everything felt… wrong. Her eyes drifted toward the window.
Liam was already there. And beside him. Sofia. Talking. Laughing softly.
Like they had known each other for years. "…They have known each other for years," Mandy reminded herself.
But that didn't make it easier to watch. Not at all. "…Why does it feel like I don't belong there?"
The thought slipped in again. Uninvited. Unwanted. But real.
"Good morning." Mandy blinked. Mark took the seat beside her, placing his bag down.
"…Morning," she replied quietly. Mark followed her gaze again. Toward Liam and Sofia.
"…They're close," he said. "…They were classmates before," Mandy answered. Her voice sounded calm.
But her eyes didn't leave them. "…Still," Mark added, "That's pretty fast."
Mandy didn't respond. Because he wasn't wrong. Too fast. Too natural.
Too easy. "…I'll talk to him," she said suddenly. Mark looked at her. "…Again?"
"…Just once more." Her voice was firm this time. As if she had already decided. Mark studied her expression for a moment.
Then sighed softly. "…Alright." But his eyes showed concern. Classes passed like a blur.
Mandy barely heard anything the teacher said. Because her attention kept drifting. Toward the two by the window.
Toward Liam. Toward Sofia. And every time she saw them smiling.
That strange feeling returned. Stronger. Lunch break. This time.
Mandy didn't hesitate. She stood up. And walked straight toward them.
Liam noticed first. His expression shifted slightly. "…Mandy," he said. Sofia turned her head.
"Oh?" Her eyes landed on Mandy. Curious. Observant. "…Hi," Sofia said politely.
Mandy paused for a second. Then nodded. "…Hi." A small silence formed.
"…Can I talk to you?" Mandy asked, looking at Liam. Liam hesitated. Just for a moment.
"…About what?" Mandy's grip tightened slightly. "…Just talk." Sofia glanced between them.
Then smiled lightly. "I can leave if you want." "…No," Mandy said quickly. Then immediately hesitated.
"…I mean—" Liam spoke first. "It's fine. You can stay." Mandy froze. "…What?"
Liam looked at her calmly. "Whatever you want to say, you can say it here."
The words were simple. But they created a line. A distance. Mandy felt it clearly.
"…I see," she said quietly. Sofia stayed silent this time. But she didn't leave.
She stayed right there. Beside Liam. "…You've been avoiding me," Mandy said.
Straight to the point. No hesitation this time. Liam didn't deny it. "…Maybe," he replied.
Mandy's chest tightened. "…Why?" Liam looked at her for a few seconds. Then,
"…I told you already." "…'Things change'?" Her voice carried frustration now.
"…That's not enough." Silence. Sofia watched quietly. Not interrupting.
Just observing. "…Then what do you want me to say?" Liam asked. Mandy's eyes widened slightly.
"…The truth." That word hung heavily in the air. Liam's expression didn't change.
But his hand tightened slightly under the table. "…Some things don't need to be said," he replied.
"…They do," Mandy insisted. "Why?" The question came out sharper than expected. "…Why do you need to know?"
Mandy froze. Because she didn't have an answer. Not a clear one. "…Because…"
Her voice faltered. "…Because this isn't how it's supposed to be." Liam's gaze softened slightly.
"…Says who?" "…What?" "…Who decided how it's supposed to be?" Mandy couldn't respond.
Because he was right. There was no rule. No agreement. No promise between them.
And yet. She felt like something was wrong. "…You're being unfair," she said quietly.
Liam let out a small breath. "…Maybe." That answer only made things worse.
"…Are you two fighting?" Sofia asked gently. Both of them paused. Mandy looked at her.
"…No." Liam shook his head slightly. "…Not really." Sofia tilted her head. "…It sounds like one."
Her tone wasn't accusing. Just honest. Mandy looked away. "…It's nothing," she said softly.
But this time. Even she didn't believe it. "…I should go," Mandy added after a moment.
Liam didn't stop her. "…Yeah." That simple response. Was enough. Mandy turned around slowly.
And walked away. Each step felt heavier than the last. Because now. The distance between them wasn't just there.
It was clear. Real. And harder to close than ever before. "…She seems important," Sofia said quietly after Mandy left.
Liam didn't answer immediately. "…She's just a classmate," he said. But the words didn't sound convincing.
Sofia noticed. But she didn't push. "…I see." She smiled faintly. "…Then I'll get to know her too."
Liam glanced at her. "…Why?" Sofia leaned slightly back in her chair.
"…Because she looks like someone who doesn't understand her own feelings yet." Liam froze for a second.
"…What do you mean?" Sofia just smiled. "…You'll figure it out." And for some reason. That answer made him uneasy.