The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, and the classroom slowly filled with the usual midday chatter. Chairs scraped, books shut, and conversations overlapped in a soft wave of noise.
Aura sat quietly, staring at her notebook even though she wasn't reading anything. The words blurred together, her thoughts drifting somewhere far away she didn't want to admit. She could still feel the distance between her and Ethan, even when he wasn't near her. It was like something fragile had cracked, and now every small sound reminded her of it.
Ethan returned to the classroom a few seconds later, pushing the door open. His eyes instinctively searched for her, and when he found her, something inside him eased. He walked toward her desk, trying to keep his expression calm even though his chest tightened at how quiet she looked. He stopped beside her chair.
"Aura," he said softly. "I'm heading to lunch. Come with me."
She blinked, surprised, and looked up at him. For a brief moment, her heart lifted. It was such a normal invitation. Such a simple thing. Like before everything became complicated.
"I…" she started.
Before she could finish, another voice cut in smoothly.
"He's going with me."
Stephanie stepped forward, smiling lightly as if the interruption was perfectly natural. Her hand rested casually on Ethan's arm, her expression calm and confident.
"We already planned it," she added. "Right?"
Ethan stiffened slightly, but he didn't pull away. He remembered that they did plan to head to lunch together to spark more rumors. This was becoming a lot. When will this perpetrator show up, Ethan was getting exhausted. Staying with Stephanie remainded him of a lot of things he didn't want to remember, a lot of hurt he felt, things he buried.
He hated it, but he had to for now. He missed her, but he had to hurt her now, on....purpose?
Aura felt the small spark inside her dim immediately. She lowered her eyes, forcing her voice to stay steady.
"I actually… have something to do," she said. "I'll come later."
Stephanie's smile widened faintly.
"Of course," she replied sweetly.
Ethan looked at Aura, as if wanting to say something, but she had already picked up her book and looked away.
Stephanie tugged lightly on his sleeve. "Come on."
They walked out together.
Aura stared at her desk.
'I knew it… I shouldn't expect anything.'
She inhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.
Across the room, Tina noticed immediately. Her brows knitted together, but before she could move, Stephanie, already in the hallway, pulled out her phone.
She typed quickly.
Sophia — 'Stay back. Tell me when she's coming.'
Inside the classroom, Sophia glanced at her phone and smiled faintly.
Got it.
Meanwhile, outside in the hallway, Francis walked around the corner and nearly bumped into someone.
"Avery."
She froze.
He froze.
For a second, neither spoke.
Then Avery blurted out, "You're late."
Francis scratched the back of his neck. "You too."
Awkward silence followed.
"So… uh… how's class?" she asked.
"Normal," he replied. "Yours?"
"Also normal."
Francis laughed softly at the pointless conversation.
"You've been avoiding me," Avery said suddenly.
Francis looked down. "Not intentionally."
"I know."
Another silence.
"We should… try to act normal," she added quietly.
"Yeah," he nodded. "We should."
They started walking slowly.
"Going to lunch?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Same."
They reached the classroom together.
Inside, Francis immediately noticed Aura sitting quietly. Tina stood beside her, trying to talk to her, but Aura only responded faintly.
Francis frowned slightly.
'I knew it…'
He walked over.
"Aura," he said gently. "Lunch?"
She shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
"You need to eat."
"I'm fine."
"You said that yesterday too."
She looked up at him.
"I'm really fine."
Francis pulled a chair closer and sat. "Then just sit with me."
"I…"
"Come on," he insisted softly.
She hesitated.
Before she could answer, Tina spoke.
"I'll come too."
Aura glanced at her.
Sophia, from the back, quietly sent a message.
'They're leaving now.' she smirked sending the message. 'It took me a lot to get Ethan single, not gonna let a nobody that barged into nobility take that.' she thought.
In the cafeteria, Stephanie read the message and smiled.
"They're coming," she murmured.
Her friends gathered around.
"You two look so good together," one of them said loudly.
Stephanie laughed lightly. "Stop."
"No seriously, you've been together all day."
"We haven't," she replied coyly.
"Then are you dating?"
She shook her head. "You're imagining things."
Ethan stood beside her silently.
Another friend leaned in. "Just tell us already."
Stephanie smiled again. "There's nothing to tell."
They kept pushing.
"You walked in together."
"You sat together."
"You've been everywhere together."
"You're clearly dating."
Stephanie covered her face slightly. "You're being ridiculous."
But her eyes flicked toward the cafeteria entrance.
Aura had just walked in with Francis and Tina.
Stephanie lowered her hands.
"Okay…" she said softly.
Everyone leaned closer.
"Yes."
Silence.
"We're dating."
The words echoed.
Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
But he didn't deny it. Instead… he nodded.
Aura froze.
Everything inside her dropped.
The noise around her faded.
Francis looked at her immediately.
"Aura…"
She turned away.
"I'm going," she whispered.
She walked out quickly.
Francis followed.
"Aura!"
She didn't stop.
Behind them, Tina stood frozen for a second.
Then she ran after them.
"Aura! Wait!"
Inside the cafeteria, Avery stood still, watching Francis leave with Aura.
Her fingers tightened around her tray.
She watched the door slowly close.
"And I'm the only one left behind…" she murmured.