The sun had already vanished, leaving the sky bruised with twilight, as students streamed from the building like a sudden release of energy. Megara and Jane walked easily, their conversation light and sweet, like the memory of Jane's earlier cake. Then, they both saw him: Hugo, hunched over his car's dashboard, waiting like a sentinel.
"Hey Megara," Jane whispered, leaning close, "I think you should talk to him. He looks like he's about to spontaneously combust." Jane offered a cautious, knowing smile, but Megara merely rolled her eyes with a dramatic sigh, casting a brief, reluctant glance in his direction.
Megara shook her head, an almost imperceptible movement, as they continued their approach. The flash of animosity in Hugo's eyes when Chris had mentioned his past still stung. "Hey Jane, see you tomorrow morning!" she chirped, giving a bright wave as Jane veered off towards her car, where a guard stood waiting.
"Hi," Megara began, her voice carefully neutral as she addressed Hugo. "I'm joining Tobi in his car, and I expect him any minute."
Hugo looked at her, his gaze raw with entreaty, as he ran a hand through his perpetually messy brown curls. "Yeah, look, I'm sorry, Meg. I know I shouldn't have reacted like that. I'm an asshole, and you have no obligation to forgive a bully. But can you please just... not ignore me?" He reached out, his hand hovering, seeking hers..