Love Before Graduation

The day felt really long, like I was carrying a heavy bag on my shoulders.

Even during class, I tried talking to Nami, but she barely said anything. Her replies were short and cold. It felt like there was a wall between us, and it hurt.

Then the school bell rang. Everyone was happy to leave, but I still felt stuck.

Nami walked out before I could reach her.

I called out—"Nami!"—but she didn't stop. She didn't even look back.

I just stood there and watched her disappear into the crowd. With every second, I felt more and more alone.

Everyone was leaving.

And even with so many people around, I felt like I was all alone.

I walked to my scooty slowly and sat on it. My hands held the handles tightly. My fingers were turning white.

Nami... Arin... everyone's mad at me. But I didn't even do anything wrong.

Arin ignoring me was one thing. He didn't owe me anything. But Nami?

She is my best friend.

I felt a sting in my throat, like I was about to cry. But I shook my head.

No. I'm not crying over this.

I swallowed hard and started my scooty. The sound of the engine filled the silence around me. As I rode, the cool wind hit my face. I hoped it would make me feel better.

Then I saw him.

He was standing near a lamppost in a small alley, just outside the school gate.

Arin. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

I suddenly stopped.

The afternoon sun made his shadow long behind him. His blazer was hanging on one shoulder, his tie a little loose like he didn't care. One hand in his pocket, the other running through his hair.

Why is he here?

Part of me wanted to drive away and act like I didn't see him. But of course, I didn't.

I stopped near him and looked at him, holding the scooty handles tight.

"Waiting for a cab?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

He gave a small smile—not a full one, just a little twist of his lips. "Waiting for you."

His words sent a weird chill down my back. I froze for a second, then rolled my eyes. "Really? Don't you have anything better to do?"

He walked closer, slowly.

Why does he always do this?

"I have a question," he said.

I already knew what it was about.

He still hadn't forgotten what happened in the bio lab.

I sighed. I was already tired. "If this is about Suhina, then—"

"Did you?"

His voice was calm, too calm. But his eyes didn't blink. They were fixed on me, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Did you start this mess?"

It felt like something was pressing on my chest. I shifted on the scooty, trying to stay calm. But it wasn't just his words—it was the way he looked at me. Like he was trying to break me with just his eyes.

The alley was too quiet. Too empty.

I felt a little nervous.

If someone saw us—like an aunt passing by or a junior from school—what would they think? What would they say?

I sat up straight, trying to act confident.

"You really think I would do that?" I asked. My voice was steady, but inside I was shaking.

He didn't reply right away. He just stared. The silence felt heavy.

Then finally—

A small smirk. Just a little one. Like he was enjoying this.

And before I could say anything else, he leaned in.

He didn't touch me. He wasn't too close. But he was close enough to make me feel nervous.

Close enough that I could feel his words when he spoke.

"Let's see."

A cold shiver ran down my back.

Then he stepped back like nothing happened and walked away down the alley.

He didn't look back.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My hands were still tight on the handles.

The alley was still quiet, but my heart was beating fast. My thoughts were spinning.

My mom always says—people judge girls who are alone with boys.

And maybe, just maybe...

Sometimes, I think she's not wrong.