Chapter 6: Our World, Our Ending

I took a long sip of chocolate milk, wishing it could wash away the confusion swirling inside me.

Marisol asked, “By the way, Sav, isn’t your birthday coming up?”

She grinned, nudging me with her elbow. I rolled my eyes, pretending not to care.

“It’s early next month. Why?”

I eyed her, suspicious. Marisol always had an angle.

“I still need your help. The next quest—the app wants me to spend a night with Caleb.”

She said it so fast, I almost spit out my drink. My cheeks went hot, and I coughed, trying to play it cool.

“That’s a big deal!”

I gave her my best scandalized look, but Marisol just waved her hands, flustered.

Marisol waved her hands. “No, no, don’t get the wrong idea—it’s just literally spending a night.”

She was practically jumping out of her seat, trying to clarify. I couldn’t help but laugh at her panic.

She thought for a moment. “The app only said I have to spend a night with him. It didn’t say where, or if others could be there… So I’ll just sleep over at your house on your birthday!”

She looked so pleased with herself, I almost wanted to applaud. Her logic was airtight, and I had to admit, it was pretty clever.

The milk carton slipped from my hand. Smooth.

I stared at her, open-mouthed. She grinned, clearly proud of her loophole.

Marisol said, “W-why are you looking at me like that? Before I came here, I was on the debate team, won the state championship—I’m good at finding loopholes! Crashing an app’s logic is nothing to me.”

She puffed out her chest, looking smug. I shook my head, both impressed and a little terrified.

Me: 6

I held up my hands in surrender. Marisol was a force of nature.

My birthday was at the start of December. Ugh, winter birthdays—always a pain for party planning. On my birthday weekend, I planned to invite some close friends over for a party. Since Caleb would never go along with Marisol’s quest while sober, we decided to get him tipsy first. For this, I asked my buddy Ethan, who could drink anyone under the table, to help. He claimed he never got drunk and loved a challenge.

I texted Ethan, promising him all the pizza he could eat if he played along. He was in before I finished typing.

Everything was perfectly arranged.

I made a checklist, double-checking every detail. I even bought extra snacks, just in case.

On my birthday, Riley came too. She knew I liked roses and brought me a handmade rose crown. After that run-in with the thugs, we became close. Worried she might get bullied again, I told everyone Riley was under my protection. No one dared mess with her, and she finally enjoyed a peaceful high school life. At the same time, I secretly arranged for the Whitaker Foundation’s scholarship to sponsor her, hoping she could escape her uncle’s house after graduation and start fresh.

I watched Riley slip the rose crown onto my head, her hands trembling. I hugged her, promising that things would be different from now on. She smiled, the first real smile I’d seen from her.

“Shhh—” The lights went out, and everyone’s faces glowed in the candlelight. My friends sang a heartfelt but off-key birthday song as Caleb brought out the cake.

The candles flickered, casting golden halos on everyone’s faces. Caleb stood behind the cake, looking at me with a softness I hadn’t seen before.

“Birthday girl, make a wish.”

He winked, and I closed my eyes, the room falling silent.

I looked at him and decided this year’s wish would be for Caleb. I closed my eyes and wished for him to stay safe and healthy. Please, universe. Just this once.

I blew out the candles, hoping the universe was listening. For once, my wish wasn’t for me.

Then came party games. Amid the laughter, I pulled Ethan aside and reminded him of the plan. Turning around, I saw Caleb standing alone by the kitchen counter, looking gloomy. I pretended not to notice and went to the fridge for drinks. As I passed, he pulled me into the guest bathroom at the corner of the living room.

He moved fast, barely giving me time to protest. The bathroom was cramped, the air thick with the scent of vanilla soap.

It was an awkward spot—anyone passing by the kitchen could see us if they looked. No one knew Caleb lived with us, and he never wanted anyone to find out. Wouldn’t this expose us? Not great timing, Caleb.

My heart raced, and I tried to keep my voice steady. Caleb was always so careful about keeping his home life private.

I nervously glanced outside, but Caleb blocked my view. He braced both hands on either side of me, bent down, and stared into my eyes. “Is it because of him that you turned me down?”

His voice was low, almost accusing. I blinked, caught off guard.

“Huh?”

I played dumb, but Caleb wasn’t buying it. He leaned in closer, his gaze never leaving mine.

“Your buddy Ethan,” he prompted. “Catching feelings, right?”

He said it with a hint of jealousy, his jaw tight. I almost laughed at how ridiculous it sounded.

I pushed him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Caleb. Let me go…”

I tried to wiggle free, but he just pressed closer, determination burning in his eyes.

“No.”

He said it simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. My heart skipped a beat.

“Aren’t you afraid people will find out we live together?”

I tried to distract him, but he just shook his head, focused only on me.

He ignored me. “What did you say to him?”

His voice was sharp, almost possessive. I swallowed hard, searching for an excuse.

I couldn’t tell him about the plan to get him drunk, or he’d never let it go. As I fumbled for an excuse, Caleb pressed closer. His kiss was fierce, but his hand gently cradled the back of my head, making sure I didn’t hit the wall. Gentle, but intense.

The world narrowed to the press of his lips, the warmth of his hand. I melted into him, forgetting everything else.

After a few seconds, my mind was blank—except for one thought—

The door! Close the door first!

Panic shot through me, and I reached for the handle. Caleb beat me to it, slamming the door shut and turning on the faucet, the rush of water muffling any sounds.

As if he read my mind, he really did close the door with his free hand, and turned on the faucet to muffle any sounds.

He grinned, a little smug, and I couldn’t help but laugh, breathless.

The kiss ended. Caleb turned his head, his breathing heavy. He asked, “Is his kissing better than mine?”

His voice was hoarse, teasing. I glared at him, cheeks burning.

I finally managed to speak. “There’s nothing between me and Ethan!” My tongue was numb, words coming out slurred. I was probably red as a tomato.

I covered my face with both hands, my voice barely above a whisper. “That was my first kiss…” Way to go, Savannah.

Caleb froze, then pulled my hands down, rubbed them with his fingertips, turned them over, and kissed the backs of my hands.

His lips were soft, gentle. The gesture was so sweet, it made my heart ache.

He said, “Me too.”

His voice was barely audible, but it sent a thrill through me. I looked at him, seeing a vulnerability I’d never noticed before.

I was annoyed—mostly at myself. Annoyed that I felt such a strong flutter when kissing him. How was I supposed to help Marisol if I was like this? I was a little upset too, since Caleb was so intense and wouldn’t let me go.

I bit my lip, trying to regain control. Caleb just watched me, his eyes full of something I couldn’t name.

All sorts of feelings mixed together, I lowered my head and bit his forearm. He hissed, but didn’t move, letting me vent. Only when my jaw got sore did I let go.

I left a perfect set of teeth marks. Caleb laughed, rubbing my jaw with his thumb.

“Want to bite more?” Caleb gently rubbed my jaw, teasing. “If you get tired, rest and bite again later.”

He winked, and I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t hide my smile.

Later, Riley’s calls snapped me out of it, and I quickly escaped the bathroom. She and another friend were prepping fondue. After I handed her the strainer, she asked, “Hey, Sav, why are your lips so red?”

I nearly choked on my words. Riley raised an eyebrow, grinning like she knew exactly what was up.

I coughed. “I-it’s just a heat rash.”

I ducked my head, hoping no one would press the issue.

The good news was, after dinner, when Ethan challenged Caleb to a drinking contest as planned, Caleb agreed instantly. Marisol, seeing the plan go smoothly, had a couple sips and got tipsy, hugging me and Riley and mumbling that we were a family of three. She kissed us both loudly, shouting, “Daughter~”

She was a mess, giggling and clinging to us. Riley blushed, and I just laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.

Inside, the heater was warm, everyone gathered, laughing and playing. Maybe this was the kind of happy moment worth remembering for a lifetime. Yeah. This was it.

The snow fell outside, blanketing the world in silence. Inside, the house glowed with laughter and warmth. For a moment, everything felt perfect.

…

Late at night, everyone was tired and sprawled out on the living room floor. Caleb was sleeping at the coffee table in front of the couch. Outside, it was snowing, the world turning white.

I watched the snowflakes gather on the window ledge, the streetlights painting everything gold. I felt a strange sense of peace.

I’d had a little to drink, and in a daze, I remembered something. Last year on my birthday, I’d invited friends over. Caleb stayed in his room, never showing up. After the party, when I fell asleep in the living room, the photo in his room was probably taken then. When I woke up, the table was cleared, and there was a bunch of Christmas roses in the vase. Earlier, I’d complained that roses never bloom in winter. Someone said there were Christmas roses at the night market. I thought a friend had gotten them. Looking back, it was snowing that night—hard to drive—but Caleb must’ve walked miles in the snow to buy them for me. He braved the wind and snow just to bring his beloved a bouquet of her favorite flowers.

The memory hit me like a wave. I pictured Caleb, trudging through the snow, cheeks red from the cold, clutching those flowers like they were the only thing that mattered.

All my earlier anger melted away. I grabbed a blanket and covered him. Unexpectedly, he woke up, sleepily pulled me down to sit next to him, and leaned his head on my shoulder, eyes red, softly calling, “Sis.” My heart did a backflip.

His voice was thick with sleep, and he looked up at me with a vulnerability that made my heart ache. I stroked his hair, shushing him gently.

The always serious, sober Caleb would never act like this. He was drunk.

I smiled, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. He blinked up at me, eyes glassy.

“Sis, don’t you like me anymore? You used to like me.”

His words slurred together, but the longing in his voice was clear. I squeezed his hand, trying to comfort him.

As a kid, Caleb always asked if I liked him. If I said yes, he’d smile all day. If I said no, he’d cry until I gave in and said I liked him best.

I remembered those days—how easy everything felt back then. How simple it was to make him happy.

I said, “But liking you as a kid isn’t the same as now.”

I tried to explain, but the words felt clumsy. Caleb just shook his head, stubborn as ever.

“It’s the same. How is it not the same?” He rubbed his head against my neck. “Sis, hug me, okay?”

He looked up at me, eyes pleading. I melted, unable to resist.

Who could resist that? My heart softened, and when I looked down, his arms were already around my waist.

I laughed softly, wrapping my arms around him. He sighed, content.

“Aren’t you already hugging me?”

He pouted, shaking his head. “Not enough. There’s a blanket between us. I can’t feel you.”

He tugged at the blanket, trying to get closer. I rolled my eyes, but gave in.

Later, when my arms got tired and I let go, he grabbed them again, forcing me to wrap them around his neck.

He was relentless, clinging to me like a lifeline. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Caleb, why are you so clingy now?”

He grinned, nuzzling my shoulder. “I’m a puppy. Your puppy,” he said softly.

I shook my head, but my heart fluttered.

“….”

I was speechless. Only Caleb could get away with saying something so ridiculous and making it sound sweet.

“Puppy loves you.”

His words were soft, barely audible, but they wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I closed my eyes, letting myself believe it, just for a moment.

That quiet confession happened in the middle of the night, with no one else around. Behind the couch, Marisol and the others were sound asleep. Besides us, maybe only the silent snow outside heard it.

The world was hushed, the only sound our breathing and the gentle tick of the old clock in the hall. I wished that moment could last forever.

Eventually, I fell asleep too. In my dream, someone held my fingers tight, never letting go.

I dreamed of Caleb’s hand in mine, warm and steady, promising never to leave.

Marisol’s quest went smoothly. She said after this last one, she could go home. But I was more and more troubled by Caleb liking me. I asked Marisol, indirectly, if there was anything Caleb really hated. She said he disliked people with no boundaries. She guessed, “He probably hates overly intimate contact?”

She looked at me, eyebrow raised, like she knew exactly what I was getting at. I pretended not to notice.

So I got an idea. I took over his room, his bed, kissed him inappropriately, then asked, “Caleb, do you hate me now?”

I tried to push his buttons, but Caleb just smiled, shaking his head.

At first, he just said no, he didn’t hate me. Later, he realized only by saying “hate” would I do more outrageous things. So he started saying, “Hate, I hate you so much.” Until I saw the smile he couldn’t hide, and realized I’d been played. So embarrassing!

I groaned, burying my face in a pillow. Caleb just laughed, pulling me closer.

Not long after, Marisol started having her own troubles. Figures. Nothing ever stays simple.

But one afternoon, she accidentally saw Caleb pinning me down and kissing me in the woods behind school, and suddenly understood.

She gasped, dropping her phone. I scrambled to explain, but the damage was done.

I chased after her. “No, no, it’s not what you think. I wanted to fix this quietly, but now it’s all messed up.”

I was out of breath, trying to keep up. Marisol just held up her hand, stopping me mid-sentence.

Marisol made a stop gesture. “Stop! Caleb likes you—you should’ve said so. Then I wouldn’t have been pulling my hair out every day.”

She looked at me, exasperated, but then broke into a grin.

She put both hands on my shoulders, serious. “Sav, I approve of this marriage! This family can’t do without you!”

She squeezed my shoulders, eyes shining. I laughed, the tension finally breaking.

…

Turns out what troubled Marisol was the system’s last task: On Christmas Eve, kiss Caleb at the top of the Ferris wheel. Of course it was something dramatic.

Marisol handed this tough quest to me, explaining, “The app seems desperate this time—it doesn’t care who does the kissing.”

She looked worried, her eyes darting to mine for reassurance.

“Why?”

I leaned in, sensing there was more to the story.

“Actually, the app suspects… Caleb’s lived this life more than once.”

She said it quietly, like she was afraid the walls might hear.

“What?!”

I nearly shouted, my mind spinning. Marisol nodded, her face grim.

Marisol said she was just as shocked when she first heard it. She got the app to spill and learned that Caleb didn’t die by accident, but by suicide. When he did it, he was decisive, like he was sure he’d get another shot. After Marisol left, I was still stunned. What did all of this mean? I really wanted to ask Caleb, what was so important he’d risk his life for it? How much pain did it take?

Her words echoed in my head, and I realized just how much I didn’t know about Caleb. My heart ached for him.

In a blink, it was Christmas, and it happened to be a weekend. Maybe it was my imagination, but Caleb seemed even more clingy all day. I suggested going to the amusement park, and he agreed right away. Everything went too smoothly.

The whole place was decked out with twinkling lights and fake snow, Christmas music playing on every corner. It was almost too much. Caleb held my hand, refusing to let go, his grip warm and steady.

When the Ferris wheel reached the top, I stood up and kissed him. Some weird sound echoed around us, but I couldn’t make it out. Caleb frowned, his face pale.

The world seemed to tilt, the air charged with something electric. I clung to Caleb, afraid to let go.

“Caleb, what’s wrong?”

I searched his face, panic rising. He looked like he was fighting something I couldn’t see.

He covered my eyes with one hand, pulled me close with the other, and kissed me again. I could feel his hands and lips trembling, like he was enduring something unbearable. I tried to look at him, but he wouldn’t let me. I tried to speak, but he sealed my lips. He kissed me until I was weak, and the Ferris wheel made a full circle back to the ground.

His kisses were desperate, like he was trying to memorize me. When the ride finally stopped, he slumped against me, exhausted.

As we stepped out, Caleb collapsed.

He crumpled to the ground, and I caught him, screaming his name.

“Caleb!”

The next second, I finally heard those strange sounds clearly—cold, mechanical, like a program running overhead.

“App initializing reset protocol… Progress 95%…”

A chill ran down my spine. The world felt wrong, like the air had turned to static.

What’s this? What’s happening!

I looked around, but no one else seemed to notice. People laughed and chatted, oblivious to the chaos closing in. Like nothing was wrong.

“App initializing reset protocol… Progress 98%… Stop!”

The voice crackled, then stuttered. My heart pounded in my ears.

…

“Reset failed! Warning! Reset failed!”

The words echoed, harsh and final. I clung to Caleb, refusing to let go.

The app’s error sounded like a hammer pounding my nerves. The mechanical voice started again.

“Why? Why can’t I reset the world even after fixing the missing pieces?”

I looked up, searching for answers, but all I saw was the cold glow of the light screen surrounding us.

A light screen surrounded us. People outside the barrier laughed and chatted, passing by without noticing anything. “Main character, are you stopping the world from resetting? When did you figure it out?”

The barrier hummed, separating us from everyone else. Caleb struggled to sit up, his face pale but determined.

Caleb struggled to look up. “It was all too convenient—she didn’t know any of this. Someone must’ve told her.”

His voice was weak, but there was steel in his eyes. I squeezed his hand, refusing to let go.

A light scanned us, like a full-body scan. The app suddenly glitched, static buzzing.

The light passed over us, making my skin crawl. The app’s voice crackled, almost frantic.

“I get it! You two secretly fell in love, defying the story—once, twice, and now a third time!”

The accusation hung in the air. I met Caleb’s eyes, and for the first time, I wasn’t afraid.

Marisol rushed in, entered the barrier, and snapped, “Damn you, app, making me break up a couple. Don’t you worry about karma?”

She stood beside us, fists clenched, fire in her eyes. I’d never seen her so fierce.

“Host, your quest is complete. Leave now. Don’t interfere further.”

The app’s voice was cold, final. Marisol glared at the light, refusing to back down.

“Why break them up?”

Her voice shook, but she stood her ground.

“No, the main guy and sidekick—that’s not the script.”

The words echoed, hollow and cruel. I felt anger rise in my chest.

“Do you even know what love is? Can love be blocked just because you say so?”

Marisol’s voice was soft but fierce. The app hesitated, static buzzing louder.

The app was silent for a long time, repeating, “No, that’s not the script…”

The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive. I clung to Caleb, refusing to let go.

Suddenly, a white light shot at me, and an electric shock ran through my body. My throat filled with a metallic taste, pain hit, and I curled up on the ground.

Agony ripped through me, and I screamed, clutching Caleb’s hand. He held me tight, refusing to let go.

Caleb held me and told the app, “If she dies, I’ll die with her, no matter how many times we start over.”

His voice was steady, unwavering. I felt his love wrap around me, stronger than any pain.

The app didn’t back down. “Main character, you know each reboot starts later. This is already the last time. Don’t you wonder why the sidekick dies every Christmas Eve? It’s because of you! The main guy didn’t fall for the main girl, the sidekick lost her value, so she died! Submit to reset, return to the main story, or the sidekick will disappear forever!”

The words hit me like a punch. I squeezed Caleb’s hand, refusing to give in.

I grabbed Caleb’s hand. “No, don’t agree…”

My voice was weak, but I poured everything I had into it. Caleb looked at me, eyes full of love.

He kissed my forehead, his voice soft as a goodnight. “Savannah, no matter how many times, I’ll fall in love with you. I said, I only love you.”

His words wrapped around me like a promise. I closed my eyes, letting his love carry me away.

I slowly closed my eyes. Was this it?

The world faded, but Caleb’s words echoed in my mind.

I was probably dead. Scenes flashed before my eyes—I watched from above, seeing memories I never knew.

It was like watching a movie in reverse, every moment replaying in vivid detail. I saw myself through Caleb’s eyes, felt his love in every glance, every touch.

In the first life, Caleb strayed from the script and fell for me, leaving Riley, the main girl, a nobody. So I stepped in when Riley was bullied. But I was targeted by the thugs for revenge. On Christmas Eve, Caleb and I rode the Ferris wheel, kissed at the top. Afterward, to surprise him, I went to pick up Christmas roses I’d ordered. But I was dragged into an alley and died. The story crashed when Caleb committed suicide, and the world rebooted.

The pain of that first loss was sharp, unforgettable. I saw Caleb’s grief, his desperation, his final decision to end it all.

In the second life, Caleb woke up back in high school. He thought he’d caused my death, felt guilty, and chose not to approach me. So in my memories, Caleb became cold and distant after freshman year. But I still died on Christmas Eve, quietly, in a car accident. If the first time, Caleb’s suicide was for death, the second was to save me.

His distance was a shield, but it couldn’t protect me. The grief was just as deep, just as final.

In the third life, Caleb woke up the day I met the first out-of-place traveler. Because of Marisol, I actively approached him this time.

This time, I changed the script. I reached for him, and he reached back.

…

The love letter I wrote him was treasured like a gem, just because I, who usually struggled to write an 800-word essay, wrote 3,000 words of love. Who even does that? He said, “Add one more line: Caleb is Savannah’s puppy.”

I laughed, scribbling the words in the margin. Caleb grinned, tucking the note into his pocket like it was the most precious thing in the world.

On my birthday night, he could celebrate with everyone like a normal couple. No need to hide in his room, secretly taking a photo of me after everyone left. He’d lean on the couch, watch me sleep at the coffee table, cover me with a blanket, kiss my forehead, then lie beside me, not wanting to leave.

Those small moments—the warmth of his arms, the softness of his voice—were the things I’d remember forever.

He said, “Caleb will always love Savannah.”

His promise echoed in my heart, steady and true.

All those so-called app quests were just the best moments Caleb lost in his first life.

Every task, every challenge, was just a way to win back the time we lost.

I suddenly woke up at home. Nothing had changed, but I felt like a lifetime had passed. The memories before fainting came rushing back.

I sat up, breathless, clutching the sheets. The world was still, but my heart raced.

“Caleb…”

His name slipped from my lips before I could stop it. I stumbled out of bed, desperate to find him.

Barefoot, I stumbled out of bed. No one in the living room. No one in his room. I couldn’t find him anywhere.

Panic clawed at my chest. I searched every room, calling his name, but the house was empty.

There was a sound from the kitchen, but I froze, suddenly afraid to go forward. What if he really had forgotten? Caleb walked out, glanced at me, put down his mug, and left.

He moved past me without a word, eyes blank. My heart shattered. Had the app really erased everything?

He must have been reset by the app…

The thought made me dizzy. I sank to the floor, tears streaming down my face.

He must have forgotten everything…

I hugged my knees, sobbing. The world felt colder, emptier, without him.

His footsteps faded away, and I squatted down, heart aching, finally unable to stop crying.

The tears wouldn’t stop. I buried my face in my hands, wishing for a miracle.

After a while, someone came back, picked me up, and carried me to the couch.

Strong arms lifted me, cradling me gently. I blinked through my tears, not daring to hope.

“Getting up without even putting on socks?”

Caleb’s voice was soft, teasing. He knelt in front of me, slipping socks onto my feet.

I wiped my tears, staring at him in shock.

He looked up, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong? Why are you in a daze?”

Caleb knelt down and put socks on my feet.

His hands were warm, steady. I stared at him, searching for any sign that he remembered.

“You…”

My voice broke. Caleb smiled, brushing the hair from my eyes.

He patted my head. “Don’t worry, I remember everything.”

Relief flooded me. I threw my arms around him, holding him tight.

I sobbed, “What happened?”

He held me, rubbing my back. “The app didn’t manage to reset us.”

“What happened that day? Where’s Marisol?”

I pulled back, searching his face for answers.

“She’s already gone back to her world.”

He handed me a letter, saying Marisol left it for me and I’d understand everything after reading it.

He pressed the envelope into my hand, his eyes gentle. I clutched it, heart pounding.

…

I opened the letter—

Marisol’s handwriting was messy but familiar. I took a deep breath and began to read.

Sav, by the time you get this, I’m already home. Don’t worry about me. Though we’ll probably never meet again, I’ll always miss you.

I guess you’re curious about what happened. Actually, what the app said reminded me—it kept saying “not according to the script.”

Sav, I’m sorry. I lied to you about something. Unlike the other travelers, I have another identity—I’m the author. The world you live in is actually a story I wrote a few years ago, just a rough outline. Unexpectedly, when you gained free will, the story crashed, so the app pulled me in to fix it.

At first, I only wanted to finish the app’s quests and go home. But in this world, I met real, living people. I realized that the friendship between girls moved me more than drama. More honestly, it was your kindness and love for this world that touched me. Since I created the script, I erased it all. Everyone is the main character of their own world, with the right to love and be free.

Guess what? The app was furious because it no longer had a purpose!

Writing this, I remembered a debate we have: Love is the fall of free will, but free will can’t kill love. Amazingly, I saw the “superpower” of loving each other in you and Caleb. Falling in love isn’t amazing—loving on is amazing.

May you always love each other in your own world.

PS: I believe you’ve already forgiven me~

Love you, Marisol.

Tears streamed down my face as I finished reading. I hugged the letter to my chest, feeling Marisol’s love across worlds.

Reading the last line, I sniffled and smiled through my tears.

Caleb watched me cry and laugh, frowned, and asked, “What did she write to you?”

He looked worried, but I just smiled, wiping my eyes.

I carefully put the letter away, cherishing it. “Marisol said she loved me before she left.” Weirdly, that made me smile.

I grinned, knowing Caleb would get jealous. He scowled, just as I expected.

Caleb’s face darkened. “Oh.”

He crossed his arms, pretending not to care, but I could see the pout.

A week later, I returned to school. It was just after New Year’s, and the halls were strung with leftover tinsel, and the student council’s cheesy Happy New Year banner still hung crooked over the trophy case. Some things never change. I sighed, “What a shame—I didn’t get to celebrate with everyone.”

The hallways were filled with leftover streamers and the scent of pine. I ran my fingers along the lockers, nostalgia tugging at me.

Riley gave me a big hug. “It’s okay. There’s always next year.”

She squeezed me tight, her eyes shining. I hugged her back, grateful for her friendship.

When Ethan secretly lent me his class notes, he got a fierce glare from Caleb. He shivered and whispered, “Why do I feel like ever since I drank Caleb under the table, he’s been giving me the evil eye?”

Ethan leaned in, stage-whispering like we were in a spy movie. I snorted, glancing at Caleb, who was glaring daggers from across the room.

I made a face at Caleb. “He’s just petty. Ignore him.”

I stuck out my tongue, and Caleb rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth twitched up.

After class, some students chatted about what to eat for lunch, others sighed about next week’s finals. Just another day. All trivial things on an ordinary day. But like colorful grains of sand, they filled the glass bottle of life, sparkling with beauty.

I listened to their chatter, letting the normalcy wash over me. For the first time in a long while, I felt truly at peace.

After school at dusk, Caleb carried my bag. Leaving the school gate, I turned and asked, “Caleb, what are your plans for the future?”

The sky was painted in shades of pink and gold. Caleb slung my backpack over his shoulder, walking beside me like he always had.

He thought for a moment. “Tutor Savannah Whitaker well, and try to get into the same college as her.”

He grinned, bumping my shoulder. I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t hide my smile.

“And?”

I nudged him, waiting for the real answer.

“Love Savannah Whitaker.”

His voice was soft, sincere. My heart skipped a beat.

“And?”

I raised an eyebrow, daring him to go further.

“Love Savannah Whitaker more every day than the day before.”

He said it so simply, like it was the easiest thing in the world. I laughed, feeling lighter than air.

In the sunset, the girl’s shadow skipped ahead. Sometimes she stopped, and her shadow overlapped with the boy’s. Tomorrow will be a new and beautiful day. At least, that’s what I’m hoping.

(The End)