Love Before Graduation

I drove my scooter on the road. My thoughts were lost in thought. The fresh cool morning breeze was passing by touching my cheeks. I could smell the mild aroma of bread kept in the bakery nearby.

Suhina was at the roadside and crouched down battling her shoelaces which enabled me to catch a glimpse of her.

She lived a street over, so our paths crossed more often than I liked. But today...

Is she running late?

I Look quickly at my watch and confirmed it—school started in twenty minutes. Suhina always walked, leaving earlier than the rest of us. Yet here she was, still stuck in place.

Should I stop? See if something's wrong?

My hold on the handles grew firmer.

No. What if she was with Tenzin?

I looked at the area—

empty. No sign of him. Just her.

Doesn't matter. She's not my problem anymore.

We weren't friends, not like before. Once, we had been good friends ,laughing over stupid things, sharing secrets. Now,She barely looked at me, Ignored me completely So

why should I care?

The engine roared as I prepared to drive away from her for good.

"Aira, wait!". There was no emotion in her voice—just softness and something unnerving.

I slowed my pace, easing off the accelerator and turned. Suhina stood there, staring at me. Her eyes looked tired, dark circles under them. Her shoulders were slumped, and her braid was a bit messy at the ends.

I didn't ask. If she wanted something, she'd say it.

"What is It?"my voice sounded flat, maybe a little cold

"Can I ride with you?"

I blinked. Of all the things—this?

She wanted a ride. From me.

The same Suhina who had shut me out, who had replaced our friendship for something I still didn't understand, was now asking for a favor. I almost laughed.

"Really? You want to go with me?" Disbelief visible in my words.

She never replied. All she did was rub her temples sequentially, as if doing so would eliminate the source of her stress.

There was still a small part of me that wished I could just walk out and leave her stranded there. She didn't deserve my help—not after all that. But seeing her slumped like that got to me, and I let out a sigh.

"Fine. Hop on."

She moved fast, climbing behind me without a word. I quickly looked over as she got comfortable...pale, quiet, a far cry from the Suhina I remembered.

"So... why are you late?" I kept my voice light, but my mind churned .

Was she with Tenzin last night?

Her wrist was bare....no sign of that bracelet he had given her months ago.

"I overslept," she murmured, so low I almost missed it.

I frowned. Suhina never overslept. She was the type to set three alarms and still wake up before them.

Up close, she looked rough—messy hair, tired eyes. It was more than just a bad night's sleep. And for some reason I couldn't explain, it kind of got to me—even if I didn't wants

I finally broke it.

"You know, you're never late. Not in this manner," I said while glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. I focused my gaze back on the road. "I must admit. I've never seen you be so... "

I tried to smile, but it didn't work.

She didn't react. Just stared ahead.

I said again. "Why don't you just get a scooter? It'd be easier. No more running late, no more open laces."

That got her attention. She whipped around, her voice slicing through the air like it meant business.

"Not all of us can afford things like you, Aira."

I blinked. Though her words did not injure me right away, I could sense their impact.

I chuckled nervously, rubbing my neck as I spoke. "What? It's not like I'm some wealthy girl. ,You've seen my house...small... nothing special."

"Exactly," she snapped, her eyes dark. "Still better than mine. You don't have to think about your future all the time. I do. I can't waste my time wandering around or......."She said it with pure hate in her voice, "chasing boys."

I applied the brake and raced the scooter a little Slowly

What on Earth is that supposed to mean.?

Her arms formed an 'X' in front of her while her mouth shut tightly. When she spoke, her voice had lost all warmth. "I've seen how you hang out with them—rian, Rishi, all of them. You're always laughing, skipping assignments like they don't matter. That's not a life I can afford, Aira. I have to study. I don't get the luxury of being aimless."

I wasn't expecting it to hurt like that.

"You think I'm aimless?" I scoffed. "Don't act all high and mighty. I know how deep you're sinking, precisely, Suhina. You hide it well, but I see it. So don't act like you're some perfect one."

She turned her head sharply toward me, eyes flashing. "At least I'm not pretending to have everything together while wasting it all."

That was it. I tightened my jaw, forcing myself to keep driving even though my knuckles were went white around the handles.

She wasn't wrong. But damn if it didn't piss me off.

I didn't respond. Just bit my lip hard enough to sting.

"Why do I even bother?"I said it low, mostly to myself.

After that remark, it was clear Suhina was rendered mute. Tension radiated off her like she was a volcano set to erupt

As we turned the last corner toward school, I thought,

Why do I even talk to her anymore? Who does she think she is?

Still, something twisted inside me.

She was cracking. And I hated that I still cared.