The next morning, the school felt… different.
Whispers followed me again, sharper this time.
"They're inseparable…"
"She's moving on way too fast…"
"Why does he care so much about her?"
I tried to ignore them.
Tried to pretend it didn't matter.
But it did.
And worse…
I noticed him looking distant.
At lunch, he didn't sit beside me.
He didn't smile.
He didn't even glance my way.
"Hey…" I called softly.
No response.
My chest tightened.
A strange, heavy feeling settled in me.
For the first time, I realized…
I needed him.
After school, I ran to find him.
He was sitting alone, under the big tree at the edge of the field.
Head down. Hands in his lap.
"You… you're ignoring me," I said, voice shaking.
He finally looked up.
And I froze.
"Maybe I should," he said softly.
"Maybe it's better if we… keep distance."
My heart dropped.
"Why?" I whispered, stepping closer.
"Because you deserve better than someone who… who can't fix your pain."
"No!" I cried.
"You don't understand. You don't leave me. You stay. That's what matters!"
He looked at me, eyes full of pain and uncertainty.
"You think staying is enough?" he asked quietly.
"I'm broken too… maybe I'll just hurt you in the end."
I swallowed hard.
My tears fell freely.
"Maybe…" I admitted.
"Maybe you're broken. But you make me feel alive again. You make me smile when nothing else can. You're the only reason I… I can breathe."
He stayed silent for a long moment.
Then slowly, he reached out…
His hand brushed mine.
Not asking. Not forcing. Just… reaching.
"I don't want to leave you," he admitted.
"I was scared… but I can't. Not anymore."
Something inside me unclenched.
All the fear, all the sadness… slowly melting.
"I don't want you to leave either," I whispered.
"I need you. More than I've ever needed anyone."
For the first time, we didn't need words anymore.
The silence between us was comfortable. Real. Safe.
And I realized, fully and painfully…
He wasn't just my peace.
He was my reason to live.