The day felt heavier than usual. Even after classes ended. The tension didn't disappear.
It stayed. Lingering in the air. Unspoken. Unresolved. Liam packed his bag quietly, like he always did now.
No lingering. No conversations. Just leave. That was the plan. "…Liam." He stopped.
That voice. He already knew who it was. "…What is it?" he asked without turning.
Mark stood a few steps behind him. His expression wasn't his usual relaxed one.
It was serious. "…Let's talk," Mark said. Liam sighed quietly. "…About what?"
"You know what." Silence. For a moment, Liam considered walking away.
Pretending he didn't understand. But he didn't. "…Fine," he said. They moved to the hallway.
Empty. Quiet. The golden light of the setting sun stretched across the floor.
Neither of them spoke immediately. Because both already knew. This wasn't going to be a simple conversation.
"…You've been acting strange," Mark started. "…You too," Liam replied. Mark frowned slightly.
"…I'm serious." "…So am I." The tension between them tightened. Mark took a step closer.
"…This is about Mandy, right?" There it was. Straight to the point. Liam didn't answer. But his silence was enough.
"…I knew it," Mark muttered. "…What do you want me to say?" Liam asked quietly. "The truth."
Liam let out a small breath. "…You already know it." Mark's eyes narrowed slightly. "…Say it."
Liam finally turned to face him. "…I liked her." The words were calm. Simple. But they carried weight.
"…Liked?" Mark repeated. "…Past tense." Mark studied his expression.
Trying to find something. Doubt. Hesitation. But Liam's face remained steady.
"…And now?" Mark asked. A small pause. "…Now it doesn't matter."
Mark's jaw tightened slightly. "…You keep saying that." "…Because it's true."
"…No," Mark said firmly. "It's not." Liam's eyes flickered slightly. "…You don't get to decide that," he replied.
Mark stepped closer. "…Then let me ask you this." His voice lowered. "…If it doesn't matter.
Why does she matter so much to you?" Silence. That question hit deeper than expected.
Liam didn't answer immediately. Because he couldn't. "…I'm just keeping my distance," he said finally.
"…For what?" "For everything." "That's not an answer." "…It's enough."
Mark exhaled sharply. "…You're making things complicated." Liam frowned slightly.
"…I'm the one making things complicated?" "Yes." Mark's voice was firm now.
"You avoid her. She gets confused." "You act like nothing. She starts overthinking."
"And now—" He paused. "…Now you're suddenly close to someone else." Liam's expression darkened slightly.
"…Sofia has nothing to do with this." "…Doesn't she?" The question lingered. Mark's gaze sharpened.
"…Because from where I'm standing. It looks like you're replacing one thing with another."
Liam's hand tightened into a fist. "…Watch what you're saying." Mark didn't back down.
"…Then prove me wrong." Silence filled the hallway again. Heavy.
Uncomfortable. "…I'm not doing anything wrong," Liam said quietly. Mark stared at him for a moment.
Then. "…Maybe not." He stepped back slightly. "…But that doesn't mean no one's getting hurt."
Liam didn't respond. Because deep down. He knew that already. "…Just don't cross the line," Mark added.
"…What line?" Liam asked. Mark looked at him directly. "…The one where you start taking what isn't yours."
The words were calm. But they carried a clear warning. Liam's expression hardened slightly.
"…I'm not taking anything." "…Good." Mark picked up his bag.
"…Then keep it that way." And with that. He turned. And walked away. Leaving Liam alone in the hallway.
Liam stood there, unmoving. "…Taking what isn't mine…" He repeated the words quietly.
Then let out a small breath. "…I never had anything to take." The answer came naturally. Because it was true.
From the beginning. He was never part of that story. He just… thought he could be.
Liam looked out the window beside him. The sun was setting. The sky slowly turning darker.
"…This is better," he said quietly. Keeping distance. Not expecting anything.
But even now. Something still felt unresolved. Something that hadn't ended properly.
And he knew. Sooner or later… It would come back again.