Lily walked a few steps past the gate before she realized her heart was still beating too fast.
She slowed.
Without fully meaning to, she glanced back.
Aiden was still there.
But this time, he wasn't looking at her.
He stood a little to the side now, posture relaxed, attention elsewhere—like their moment had already folded itself neatly away. A few girls hovered nearby, laughter light, voices easy. One leaned in to say something. Another smiled up at him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
They talked to him without hesitation.
Everything moved forward smoothly, as if nothing inside her had faltered.
Lily felt something small and strange tighten in her chest.
There was no pain in it, only a quiet noticing she couldn't undo.
She looked down quickly, embarrassed by her own thoughts, and adjusted her bag strap like it had suddenly become very important. Her steps turned toward her building, unhurried but deliberate.
Don't be weird, Lily.
People talk to people.
Still, her ears felt warm.
Her classroom was on the second floor. The hallway smelled faintly of paper, old paint, and coffee carried in by students who'd clearly woken up too early. Sunlight spilled through the tall windows, dust floating lazily in the air.
She was just reaching for the door when—
"LILYYY!"
Arms wrapped around her from behind without warning.
Lily yelped, her body jolting so hard she nearly dropped her bag.
"M—!"
Then she saw blonde hair flash into view and bright green eyes crinkle with laughter.
"Mira!" Lily laughed, breathless. "You scared me!"
Mira grinned unapologetically, still half-hugging her. She looked… radiant today. A soft pastel top layered under a cropped cardigan, a flowing skirt that swayed when she moved, bangles clinking quietly at her wrist. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders, catching the light like spun gold.
"You're too jumpy," Mira teased. "I've been calling you."
Lily shook her head, smiling now—really smiling. The tension from earlier loosened, just a little.
"Oh… Sorry," she said. "I was… thinking."
They walked into the classroom together, choosing seats near the window. Mira talked easily, animated hands tracing stories Lily half-followed, her eyes occasionally drifting to Mira's face instead.
She doesn't look sad today, Lily noticed.
Yesterday's heaviness, the quiet distance …was gone. Mira's laughter came quickly now, her smile wide and unguarded.
And yet…
Lily hesitated, fingers tapping lightly against her notebook.
"Mira," she asked softly, the worry slipping into her voice before she could stop it.
"Are you… okay now?"
Mira paused.
Just for a second.
She turned her head, green eyes meeting Lily's. Something shifted there—subtle, like a cloud passing over sunlight.
"I'm fine," Mira said, too smoothly.
Lily didn't push. She only leaned a little closer, voice gentler than before.
It's okay if you're not," she said, meeting her gaze with quiet sincerity.
"And it's okay if you don't want to say."
Mira watched her carefully.
Lily held her gaze, warmth steady in her eyes despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
"Just… don't forget," Lily added, smiling softly,
"I'm with you. Anytime, Mira."
Lily wanted to give Mira a quiet warmth, the kind she had never once received from anyone.
Mira pressed the feeling back.
Her fingers curled together in her lap.
For a moment, Lily thought she wouldn't say anything at all.
Then Mira exhaled, slow and shaky.
"Actually, Lily…" she began.
Lily straightened slightly, attentive.
"There's someone I like," Mira said quietly. "Have liked. For a long time."
Lily blinked, surprised—but said nothing.
"I dated other guys," Mira continued, gaze dropping to the desk. "A lot of them. I thought if I kept moving, kept distracting myself… I'd forget him."
Her voice wavered, just a little.
"But it's not easy," she whispered.
"To forget someone like that."
She laughed softly, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"And I'm afraid," Mira admitted. "Because no matter what I do… he's still there."
Lily felt her heart ache in a way she didn't fully understand yet.
She reached out without thinking, her fingers brushing Mira's hand—light, reassuring.
Mira looked up at her then, eyes shining with something unsaid.
Like there was more.
Much more.
But the words stayed trapped between them.
The bell rang, sharp and sudden.
Neither of them moved right away.
Some stories, Lily realized, don't come out all at once.
They wait.
The classroom hummed quietly, sunlight spilling across scattered papers and the polished floor. Lily and Mira sat near the window, the soft morning light catching Mira's blonde hair, making it glow like spun gold. Her green eyes were bright, lively,
and for a moment Lily just watched her friend—watched the way she laughed, the way her fingers moved as she tucked hair behind her ear, the little sway of her skirt as she leaned forward.
Lily felt a warmth spread through her chest, soft and silly, like she was discovering a secret only she could know.
Mira… was trying so hard to forget the boy she liked.Lily watched her and thought—
I don't think I could ever do that.When I like someone… I just doing nothing.
She didn't ask about the boy Mira mentioned before. Lily didn't know if it was too much, or if she would somehow overstep. So she just smiled softly and said:
"Thanks for telling me that… really."
Mira tilted her head, a gentle smile playing at her lips. "Of course. You're the only one I trust with this, Lily." she said.
"I haven't told anyone… not even the boys."
Then Mira's phone vibrated softly against the desk. Lily looked up, blinking at Mira.
Mira's expression shifted almost immediately, a sparkle lighting her green eyes. Lily's curiosity spiked. What's happening? She looks… different. Happier. Like she's holding something precious.
The phone rang again—name flashed on the screen.
Mira's lips curved into a small, excited grin. Lily's pulse ticked faster, a soft whoa moment hitting her chest. She wondered briefly, with a tiny silly blush in her mind, Could this be… the boy she likes?
Mira stood, phone pressed to her ear.
"Hold on a sec, Lily," she said lightly, still smiling. "I need to take this. Just wait here, okay?"
Lily nodded softly, giving a gentle smile in return. Her gaze lingered as Mira walked away, light footsteps echoing softly against the floor. The sunlight bounced off her hair.
When Mira spoke into the phone, Lily caught glimpses of the changing expressions. First, a bright happiness—the kind that made her chest ache with admiration. Then, almost imperceptibly, Mira's eyes shadowed over, a flicker of something more serious.
Lily looked down, embarrassed to be watching. She felt a quiet rush of heat rise to her cheeks. It's rude to stare… she scolded herself softly.
Her thoughts wandered, spinning in soft, silly loops. Morning again… Aiden near the gate. He told me… stop being close to Mira. Is it because of Jake? Or him?
She shook her head faintly, a small pout forming.
I don't know why he thinks that way. Mira is… special to me. After all these years, she's the only one who truly cares. And now, I'm here, finally… living this tiny moment of university life. She reached me, not anyone else. Me.
Her fingers traced the strap of her bag absently.
I want to get close to him too. It's true… but he has no idea what Mira is to me.
She exhaled softly, a mix of admiration and silly stubbornness bubbling in her chest. Stupid heart, don't get tangled… just let me enjoy this moment with her.
From behind the classroom window, sunlight gleamed across the campus lawn, catching students hurrying between classes. Lily breathed in the faint smell of coffee from the café below and the soft scent of dust and old paper lingering from the studio.
She leaned back slightly in her chair, letting her thoughts float freely, silly, tender, and quiet all at once. Mira's laughter, even faint from the phone, wrapped around her chest like warmth, a tiny anchor in a world that suddenly felt soft, gentle, and just hers for this moment.
And Lily, in her quietly silly, observant way, felt a small, mischievous bubble of happiness.
I don't need to understand everything right now. Just… her. Mira. That's enough.
End of chapter 11