They reached the corner where the corridor split.
We walked toward different doors, our paths quietly splitting.
Aiden stopped first.
"For now… I'm leaving," he said softly. His voice was calm and deep, like always it's not soft, not cold … just steady enough to make my heart listen.
"See you."
He nodded once. I nodded back, hoping it meant more than it should.
I didn't trust my voice enough to use it.
Lily's fingers stayed still at her side, curled just slightly, as if holding onto something invisible. She watched him turn away. Watched his tall frame move forward, the clean line of his shoulders, the way his steps never hesitated.
He never looked back.Not even once.
And he never knew someone was hoping he would.
She followed him with her eyes.
From behind.
Like always.
We felt close, she thought,
like stars at night.
But the longer I stare… the farther apart we stay.
Something small pressed against her chest. Not pain or sadness. Just… a quiet sting. The kind that doesn't ask for attention.
"It's fine," she told herself.
"This is nothing."
Lily turned toward her class.
Her steps were slower now. Not because she was tired, but because part of her was still standing there… watching him disappear into the crowd.
When she entered the classroom, Mira was already there.
Waiting.
Mira noticed her immediately. Her face lit up like always bright and warm, like Lily was something she'd been expecting all along.
She stood near the desks, wearing a short pastel green dress. The color softened her skin, made her green eyes look clearer and lighter. She looked… happy.
"Wow," Lily said before she could stop herself.
"You look beautiful Mira."
Mira blinked, surprised. Then laughed softly and tilting her head.
"Thank you, Lily."
She leaned closer, studying Lily's face with an almost gentle seriousness.
"But you know… you look beautiful too."
Lily froze.
"I like it when you smile," Mira continued, lifting one finger and pointing lightly toward Lily's cheek. "That little dimple… it appears like it doesn't want to, but it does anyway."
The moment stole her breath gently, but completely.
No one had ever said it like that before. Not so simply, not like it truly meant something.
Lily's cheeks warmed. She smiled again without thinking, and this time she felt it. The dimple, the softness, the strange happiness spreading quietly inside her chest.
They sat down together. The classroom was still half-empty. The air felt unhurried.
Mira leaned back in her chair, swinging her foot slightly.
"So," she said, lowering her voice. "I told Aiden you draw people really well. That's just what I saw, okay? You're talented. Way more than me."
Lily nodded, listening carefully, her hands folded in her lap.
"Yes… he told me. Before I came to class."
Mira's eyes widened just a little.
"Oh? So he already told you his plan?"
She leaned closer, her focus fully on Lily now.
"What do you think about it?"
Lily hesitated.
"I told him… I'd think about it," she said softly, her voice shy but honest.
Mira gave her a quiet smile, the kind that comes from simply understanding.
"Oh, my shy girl," she said gently. "You love doing artwork. You always have. You should say yes."
She bumped Lily's shoulder lightly.
"And don't worry. I'll come with you. Emotional support."
Lily met her eyes properly this time, and slowly, she smiled.
If Mira was there… maybe it wouldn't feel so awkward.
Maybe my heart wouldn't beat so loudly.
Then I can tell him how much I like—
She stopped herself.
Her eyes widened slightly at her own thoughts.
She turned quickly to Mira.
"It's true," she said, almost urgently. "I like this. You'll come with me, right?"
Her eyes lifted,
round and pleading, like a little puppy searching for kindness.
Mira laughed and didn't even try to resist. She wrapped her arms around Lily in a quick, tight hug.
"Yeah," she said warmly. "How could I ignore that?"
They giggled quietly together.
For a brief moment, the world fell away, and Lily felt light, safe and visible.
Then the lecturer walked in.
They straightened immediately, trying to look serious — but their eyes met again, and they shared one last suppressed smile before facing forward.
Lily sat still, her notebook open.
But her heart wasn't.
Not yet.
---
The classroom slowly emptied, the scrape of chairs and low voices fading into the corridor. Lily packed her bag quietly, movements small and careful
like she was afraid of making noise inside her own chest.
Mira was already beside her.
Without asking, Mira's fingers curled around Lily's wrist, warm and steady, a silent proof that they were still connected.
"So," Mira said, tilting her head with that playful curve to her lips, "what do you like to eat, Lily?"
Lily blinked, pulled gently out of her thoughts. She met Mira's bright and open gaze, then let her eyes fall to their hands,
still gently joined.
"Oh," she said softly, almost embarrassed by how easy the answer was.
"I like sweet things."
The word sweet lingered longer than she meant it to.
For a moment,
the world tilted—
and suddenly she was small again.
Her father's hand, bigger than hers, passing her a caramel chocolate. The wrapper crinkling. The way he smiled like he had just given her something precious, not something simple. The warmth of sitting beside him. The quiet happiness of being seen.
The memory rose too fast.
Lily's steps slowed. Her gaze dropped. Her fingers curled slightly, like she was trying to hold onto something that wasn't there anymore.
Mira caught the sudden change in Lily's face, though she had no idea what had caused it.
Without saying anything, she leaned closer, her shoulder brushing Lily's.
"Hey," she said gently, then broke into a grin, forcing light back into the moment.
"Don't look like that Lily. Today's my treat. I've got something sweet planned for you."
She pulled Lily forward, laughing, the bright sound weaving around them both, making it impossible to resist moving with her.
"Come on."
Lily let herself be pulled.
The cafeteria was alive with overlapping voices, laughter, the clink of trays, and the comforting warmth of coffee and freshly baked butter cake in the air.
Mira stepped up to the counter, still holding Lily close like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Two hot chocolates," Mira said cheerfully, Then she looked at the menu again, scanning it quickly.
"And—"
While Mira ordered, Lily's attention wandered, drifting away from what was happening around her.
Through the wide windows near the cafeteria entrance, sunlight spilled onto the small garden outside. Flowers bloomed quietly there, untouched by the noise inside. Lily found herself walking closer without realizing it.
She steps slowly, careful with each movement.
There were many flowers.
She touches each one softly, looking at them one by one, a quiet smile lifting on her lips.
But then her eyes stopped on one.
A lily.
White and soft, standing slightly apart from the others. Its petals curved gently outward. It's delicate but steady,
catching the light without trying to.
Lily crouches down, fingers hovering before she touches it with careful, reverent motion.
And then a memory from the past flashes back, suddenly
"You know, honey… do you know what your name means?"
Her father's voice came back like a whisper carried on wind.
She shook her head in the memory, hair tied unevenly and her eyes curious.
His chuckle was soft, and his brown eyes held a warmth and kindness that mirrored Lily's.
"The lily symbolizes someone who feels deeply. Loves sincerely. And endures… silently."
He looked at the flower, then back at her.
"I really like that flower. It's beautiful. Meaningful. Just like you."
The memory blurred at the edges.
Lily's chest tightened.
She exhaled slowly, fingers brushing the petal.
You're right, Dad, she thought.
I really did become like one.
She remained quiet and still, her body upright and tense, holding herself together even as the pain twisted inside her.
"Win—"
The sound cut through her thoughts.
"—slow?"
Lily froze.
Her heart jumped first. Then her breath.
She turned around too quickly.
Aiden stood there.
Close.
Too close.
His dark hair caught the light softly, slightly tousled like he hadn't bothered fixing it. His gray eyes…those calm, unreadable eyes were focused entirely on her, brows drawn just a little.
Lily noticed the way his eyes softened, like he was quietly worried about her.
"Winslow," he said again and slower this time, like he didn't want to startle her.
She stared at him, lips parted, words caught somewhere between panic and surprise.
"You were… zoning out again," Aiden said, a small chuckle escaping him, low and gentle.
"You always do that."
He tilted his head, studying her like she was something fragile, something he didn't want to touch too roughly.
he murmured something to himself, covering his mouth lightly with his hand.
Lily didn't hear that part.
She was too busy realizing how close he was. Too busy feeling the warmth of him standing there. Too busy noticing how his voice sounded different when it was just for her.
Her gaze darted away, cheeks warming. She smiled shyly, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.
"I— I didn't notice," she said quietly.
And again, she looked at that flower, drawn to it without thinking.
Aiden followed her gaze to the flower behind her. His eyes softened further.
"A lily," he said.His words came quietly, eyes fixed on the flower. Then, without breaking the calm, he looked at her again—
"…It suits you."
Her heart skipped.
She looked back at him, Lily's chest tightened in response.
Before she could respond, Mira's voice cut in from behind, cheerful as ever.
"Hey! I knew you'd come here too, Aiden."she said.
"Where's Jake?" She looked around while asking, curiosity and caution in her eyes.
Mira walked over, holding two steaming cups, her eyes sparkling.
"Hot chocolate delivery," she announced proudly, handing one to Lily first.
" and this is for my sweet-tooth friend."
Lily reached for what Mira held,
but Aiden, he was faster.
Her heart skipped a beat as he took it into his hands before she could, and she couldn't help the small, startled smile that tugged at her lips.
"Oh, thanks Aiden." Mira said with smile brightly.
"Where's Jake?" She repeated and glancing again.
But Lily couldn't hear a single word. The world around her had gone strangely quiet.
Lily tried to stay grounded in her own world, silently battling the blush threatening to show after that moment.
End of chapter 20