The next day—
nothing looked different.
The same campus.
The same corridors.
The same people.
But everything felt…
off.
Because something had changed.
And this time—
it wasn't visible.
It was inside.
Pixel — The Decision in Action
Pixel walked into class early.
Earlier than usual.
Not because she wanted to study.
But because she didn't want to see him.
Not yet.
Not like this.
She sat in the first row.
Notebook open.
Pen in hand.
Trying to focus.
Trying to act normal.
Trying to breathe.
Stay away.
Her own voice echoed in her head.
Just for a few days.
Just until everything settles.
But deep down—
she knew.
It wasn't "a few days."
Ketty Notices
Ketty sat beside her.
Watching.
"You didn't sleep."
"I did."
"No, you didn't."
Pixel didn't argue.
Because she didn't have the energy.
Ketty leaned closer.
"He's been calling."
Pixel's fingers tightened slightly.
"…I know."
"You're not picking up."
Silence.
"I can't."
That answer—
quiet.
But final.
Meanwhile — Stephan
"Where is she?"
Johan looked up.
"In class?"
"No."
A pause.
"She's avoiding me."
Hill crossed his arms.
"…Yeah. Obviously."
Stephan frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Johan sighed.
"Bro… your engagement is all over the city."
"And you think she's just going to act normal?"
💥
That line hit.
Because for the first time—
he saw it from her side.
But still—
"She knows I didn't agree to it."
Hill looked at him.
"Does she?"
Silence.
Because that—
was the problem.
He never told her.
The Attempt
Stephan walked toward her class.
Steps fast.
Determined.
But when he reached—
she wasn't there.
Empty seat.
His jaw tightened.
"…Seriously?"
Pixel — Avoidance
She knew he would come.
That's why—
she left early.
Sitting now—
in the library.
Far.
Quiet.
Safe.
Her phone buzzed again.
📱 Stephan Calling
She stared at it.
Heart racing.
Fingers trembling slightly.
But she didn't pick up.
Not this time.
Because if she did—
she knew—
she wouldn't be able to stay strong.
The Message
📱 Stephan:Where are you?
Seen.
No reply.
📱 Stephan:We need to talk.
Her chest tightened.
We.
That word—
hurt more than anything else.
Because now—
there was no "we."
The Reality Reminder
"Two weeks left," Ketty said later.
They were sitting together again.
Silence between them.
"Exams start."
Pixel nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
"And after that…"
A pause.
"…college ends."
That line—
felt heavier than it should.
Because suddenly—
everything had a deadline.
Not just exams.
But them.
Meanwhile — Natasha
Natasha stood near the window.
Looking down at the campus.
Calm.
Composed.
Like none of this affected her.
But her eyes—
sharp.
Observing.
She had already seen everything.
The whispers.
The looks.
And most importantly—
her.
Pixel.
She remembered her.
Not because she said anything.
But because she didn't.
That silence—
stood out.
"She's not reacting," Natasha murmured.
A faint smile appeared.
"Interesting."
Natasha — The Thought Process
She wasn't angry.
She wasn't insecure.
Because she never needed to be.
But she was curious.
Because for the first time—
someone didn't fight for what she had.
They stepped back.
And that—
made it more intriguing.
"He chose her," Natasha said quietly.
A pause.
"But she didn't stay."
That contradiction—
was new.
And Natasha didn't like unanswered things.
Stephan — The Frustration
He finally saw her.
Across the corridor.
Walking.
Alone.
"Pixel."
She stopped.
Just for a second.
Then—
kept walking.
💥
That hurt more than anything else.
Because she heard him.
And still—
chose to ignore him.
He walked faster.
Caught up.
"Stop."
She stopped.
But didn't turn.
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"…Why are you avoiding me?" he asked.
No reply.
"…Look at me."
Slowly—
she turned.
And for a second—
everything paused.
Because her eyes—
weren't the same.
They were calm.
Too calm.
"I'm not avoiding you," she said softly.
"You are."
A pause.
"We need to talk."
"No."
💥
That word—
simple.
But it hit hard.
Stephan frowned.
"What do you mean no?"
"I mean…"
A pause.
"…there's nothing to talk about."
Silence.
Because that—
wasn't true.
And they both knew it.
The Distance Becomes Real
"You believe that?" he asked.
Pixel looked at him.
"…I have to."
💔
That answer—
said everything.
Ending Hook
Because sometimes—
distance isn't created by hate.
It's created by fear.
By reality.
By the things you can't afford to lose.
And the worst part?
They were still standing right in front of each other.
But it felt like miles apart.