---
Sarah slept lightly that night.
Adrian's room was small, warm, and strangely comforting. She could hear his breathing from the other side of the bed—steady, soft, familiar. When morning light touched her eyelids, she stretched and realized something immediately:
The warmth she felt yesterday… Adrian still gave that same warmth now.
Even in her room, even from far away, his presence always lingered… soft but noticeable. She praised him quietly in her mind and couldn't help smiling before she slipped out of bed.
She went straight to the bathroom, washed her face, and stepped under the cold shower.
When she came out, she noticed the strange tattoo-like mark on her wrist again—the one that had appeared from nowhere, like ink drawn by invisible hands.
She traced the edges gently.
How did it get there?
Why did it look… sharper today?
She shook her head.
No overthinking today.
After dressing up, she swung her backpack over her shoulder and smacked Adrian lightly with it.
"Wake up! School isn't going to wait for you."
Adrian groaned, rolling over.
"Okay, okay… I'm coming."
He dragged himself into the bathroom like someone being forced into battle.
By the time he stumbled downstairs, still half-asleep, Sarah was plating food.
He stopped.
"You… cooked?"
Sarah lifted a brow. "Of course."
"With what ingredients?" he asked, blinking in disbelief.
"I told you, there are scraps in this house. I made it work. Now come on—eat. We're late."
Adrian stared at her for a moment, a slow smile forming before he began eating.
When they finally stepped outside, the gate fell sideways into the field with a rusty clank.
"Aren't we going to clean that up?" Adrian asked.
Sarah exhaled. "…Fine. But not now. After school. I promise."
Adrian smiled gently. "Alright. Let's go."
---
At School
The moment they reached the gate, Sarah felt her mood shift sharply.
Adrian noticed immediately.
"Hey… are you okay?"
She swallowed.
"I just don't want to see Kim and Rose today. Or anyone, honestly. Everyone here hates me."
"Except me," Adrian blurted softly. "I love you."
The words dropped like a stone.
Sarah froze.
Adrian froze harder.
"I—I mean!" he stuttered, panicking, "not like… that. I mean I love you as in—you know—friend love, best friend love, that type! Not— not— you get it, right?!"
Sarah stared at him like he had asked her for one of her kidneys.
Then she burst out laughing.
"You really know how to make me laugh, you idiot."
He relaxed with a sigh as she walked toward her class.
But behind her laughter was something else—
a small disappointment.
A tiny part of her almost wished he meant it.
Adrian stood there watching her walk away, scolding himself silently.
"Why did I say that? You're so stupid… stupid…"
---
Inside the Class
When Sarah entered, eyes darted toward her like daggers. She ignored them, sat, and tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to Adrian—his warmth, his slip of the tongue, their history.
During break, while everyone rushed to the cafeteria, she remained seated. Thinking.
Why did Adrian's words affect her so much?
After a while she texted him:
Sarah: Are you waiting for me?
Adrian: I can't. Teacher delayed us. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow.
Her heart dipped a little.
But she pushed it aside and stood to leave.
The moment she stepped outside…
She saw Kim and Rose hugging.
Again.
She didn't flinch. It was always Rose's favorite trick. Except this time, Rose's expression wasn't teasing—it was declaring something.
He's mine.
Know your place.
Stay away.
Kim, however, looked guilty.
Deeply guilty.
He muttered something to Rose about using the bathroom, and she let him go. Lila dragged Rose off toward the cafeteria, leaving Kim alone.
He used the chance.
"Sarah!"
She turned.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Kim had never said her name that softly.
He stopped in front of her, breath shaky.
"I'm… sorry."
Sarah blinked. "What?"
"I'm sorry for what I did to your farm. And for— for doing it on your birthday. I didn't want to. I was stupid. I'm really, really sorry, Sarah. I didn't mean to hurt you."
She blinked again.
What fanfiction nonsense was this?
Was she dreaming?
She pinched her arm.
Ouch.
Not a dream.
Kim continued, "Maybe after class we can talk more. Or catch up. I just… I need to explain myself."
Sarah shook her head.
"Adrian will walk home with me. It'll be awkward."
Kim nodded.
"And… Rose will be angry too," Sarah added. "You talking to your 'enemy'?"
Kim exhaled. "I just wanted to apologize. Even if it's through text later. I just needed to say it."
Sarah lowered her gaze.
"Maybe another time. I might not be free today."
"Then… tell me when you are."
His voice softened.
"You don't have my number, right?"
She shook her head.
"I'll give it to you later," he said before walking off.
Sarah stood there, frozen in shock.
What kind of day was this?
---