We reached the front of the school, and he sighed softly, holding my face with unusual gentleness this time. He wiped my tears away, his thumbs brushing against my skin before kissing my forehead. "I'm sorry for earlier, my love... I just got mad. I won't repeat it. Will you please forgive me? Please?" His voice was low, full of regret, and it was clear that he truly meant it. His eyes reflected guilt, his expression almost vulnerable.
I sighed, feeling torn. "I forgive you... but keep your behavior in check next time."
A bright smile spread across his face, almost like that of a child who had just been given something he truly wanted. "Thank you. Have a great day, okay? If anyone says anything to you, just tell me."
With that, he stepped out of the car, walked to my side, and opened the door for me. He reached for my hand as we walked toward the school gate. His fingers entwined with mine, firm yet calm this time.
The sight of the school brought back everything I had tried so hard to bury. Memories came flooding back, suffocating me. It used to be me, Alex, Yuki, and Emma walking through this gate together. It used to be Alex holding my hand.
Where is he now?
I tried to push the thoughts away and focused on breathing steadily, but the aching in my chest wouldn't leave.
We reached my classroom, and Zeus turned to face me. He bent down and gently kissed my forehead once more. "Study well, okay?"
I nodded, forcing a small smile. He returned the gesture with warmth before leaving.
I stood outside the classroom for a moment, taking deep breaths to steady my trembling hands. Last time I was here, I had Alex by my side. Yuki and Emma were always nearby, laughing, cracking jokes, filling every corner of this place with life. Now, there was no one.
Loneliness hit me with full force, its weight suffocating.
Gathering the courage I didn't know I had, I slowly pushed the door open. Nostalgia washed over me, and my body stiffened. My heart raced, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. Not now... not here... don't cry.
My eyes swept across the classroom, and a hollow ache spread through my chest. My seat by the window was empty. Alex's seat next to mine was empty. So were Yuki's and Emma's.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my breathing steady as I walked quietly to my seat with my eyes focused on the floor. Each step felt heavier than the last.
I sat down in silence, the emptiness around me closing in like an iron cage. Every memory we had made in this room replayed in my head with merciless clarity. Alex used to sit beside me, his head resting on the desk, eyes barely open as he fought sleep. He'd wake up with a lazy grin and crack some silly joke that never failed to make me laugh.
I could almost feel his presence beside me, his soft voice lingering in the air. I remembered how he used to gaze at me with those warm, comforting eyes, eyes that made me feel safe in ways I couldn't describe. But now... all that was left was silence.
It hurt. It hurt more than words could ever express.
It felt like someone was stabbing my heart repeatedly, each memory slicing through me with brutal precision. No one could see the storm raging inside me, the battle to keep myself from falling apart completely. I bit my lip hard, blinking rapidly to hold back the tears.
The door opened, and the class teacher walked in, her warm smile doing little to break the oppressive weight in my chest.
"Hello, class! Today we have a new transfer student joining us," she announced brightly.
Her words barely registered. My mind was too lost in the past, in memories of the people who had once made this place feel like home.
But they were gone now. All of them.
And I was left here-alone.
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