Love Before Graduation

Suhina sat behind me on the bike. Her silence felt like an itch I couldn't scratch. We reached the school gates just as students started rushing in. Everyone was talking loudly I was parking my scooty in the parking lot when Suhina had already got off and left. I too went inside the school.

The school was filled with noise today too like every morning - somewhere someone's screaming, somewhere laughter and jokes, and somewhere the fear of a teacher. I walked through, still thinking about what Suhina had said earlier—just a quiet "I overslept." She didn't say anything else and walked to her class. I didn't stop her. What was the point?

Then I saw him.

Arin.

He was standing with his back resting against a pillar in the corridor, holding the bag on his shoulder with one hand, his eyes were searching for someone. He looked calm, like always. My steps slowed down.

Would he talk to me today?

After last night, I thought maybe he would.

He looked up...just a quick glance, sharp like he was about to say something. But then he just walked away.

I let out a small laugh. Of course.

Then his shoulder brushed mine. Not hard, just enough for me to feel the warmth. I looked up, and though he kept walking, he had a small smirk on his face.

Jerk.

My chest tightened.....part angry, part something else I didn't want to name. I pushed the feeling away and went to class. The bell rang, loud and sharp.

Second period was biology. Suhina was already falling apart.

She sat two rows ahead, bent over her desk. Her pencil kept drawing the same rough line in her notebook. She had come in late and didn't look at anyone—not even me. Something was clearly bothering her, and it hadn't gotten better since the morning.

Teru and Nami noticed. While we were handling the test tubes, Teru whispered something to Nami and laughed. Nami smiled and looked at Suhina.

"You look terrible, Suhina. Didn't sleep?"

Suhina didn't reply. Her pencil stopped moving.

"I saw you," Nami continued, louder so others could hear. "With Tenzin. Last night. Sneaking around. What was going on?"

Suhina froze. Her hand shook.

Teru laughed. "That explains the weird vibes today."

Then—clink—Suhina dropped everything. She quickly stood up, pushed her chair back—the sound of chair echoed through the quiet classroom—and then she got up from her chair and ran outside.

Everyone whispered. I stayed at my seat, test tube still in hand.

Should I have gone after her?

The thought came and went. She didn't want me there. That was clear.

Then I noticed him.

Arin stood by the lab window, arms crossed, watching Suhina leave with no emotion on his face. He must have come in late—probably skipped the first period.

Then his eyes turned to me. Cold. Blaming.

Did you do this?

My hands tightened under the table. I hadn't told Nami anything. I hadn't even talked to Suhina since this morning. But Arin didn't care. He saw me watching Suhina all morning—that was enough for him.

I opened my mouth to say something, but he looked away. It was too late. The teacher shouted at us to focus, so I looked at the bubbling beaker, trying to forget.

Lunch came too fast. I grabbed my lunch box and went outside—I needed fresh air. The courtyard was full, students laughing and eating. But my eyes went straight to them.

Suhina and Tenzin.

She was standing a little distance away, her body language was indicating extreme sadness, and tears were flowing from her eyes. Her voice was soft and broken. Tenzin looked angry, his jaw tight, eyes dark. He kept flexing his hand, like he was close to walking away.

I stood near a bench, my food forgotten. Whatever Suhina was saying wasn't helping. Tenzin shook his head, and she cried harder.

The bell rang. They didn't move. I stayed there, frozen. This wasn't just a normal fight—it felt like something important was breaking.

Then—

"What are you doing here, Aira?"

Someone hit my back. I jumped and turned. It was Nami. Her face was calm, but cold. She followed my eyes to where Suhina had been, now gone behind the trees.

"Watching the mess you started," I said, dryly.

She snorted and grabbed my wrist. "She's so dramatic. Forget her—let's eat." She pulled me toward the canteen.

I pulled back. "Nami, you didn't have to say that stuff in the lab. Everyone heard."

We sat by the canteen door. The smell of oil was strong. She waved her hand and ordered a sandwich like nothing had happened.

"I said what I saw. What's the problem?"

I dropped my tray, frustrated. "It's not that simple. Maybe she made mistakes, but we didn't have to humiliate her."

Nami tapped her fingers, frowning. "What, now you're on her side? After what she did to you?"

I clenched my jaw. "No. But acting like her? That's not who we are."

She stood up, pushing her chair loudly. People looked at us.

"Oh, please. Go save her, then. Just leave me out of it."

"Nami, wait—" I tried to stop her, but she walked away, leaving her tray behind.

I sat down, staring at my cold food. Everyone around was laughing and eating, but I felt alone.

Now what?

Suhina's falling apart, Arin thinks I'm the bad guy, and Nami's turned her back on me.

How do I fix this?

I rubbed my forehead. Everything was a mess. I thought Nami would understand. I really thought she would.

But maybe I was wrong about her too.