Chapter 4 The Aftermath

The day after the bonfire, Alex didn't show up at school.

Mia spent the whole morning distracted - barely listening in class, unable to focus. By lunch, she couldn't take it anymore. She texted him:

"Can we talk?"

No reply.

By the time the final bell rang, she knew where to find him. Alex always went to the quiet spot behind the gym when he wanted to be alone.

Sure enough, he was there - sitting on the grass with his headphones in, staring at nothing.

"You're hiding," Mia said, crossing her arms.

"I'm thinking," Alex muttered without looking up.

"About what?"

"About how I'm probably gonna ruin everything if I say this," Alex mumbled. He tugged his headphones out and sighed. "I like you too, Mia."

Her heart stuttered. "Then... why are you avoiding me?"

"Because," Alex said, running a hand through his hair, "I'm scared. What if we screw this up? What if we stop being friends and... I lose you?"

"You won't," Mia said softly, stepping closer. "I've been scared too. But... I think we're already past that."

For a moment, Alex just stared at her - like he didn't quite believe she was real. Then he smiled - the kind of smile that made Mia feel like her chest was too small for her heart.

"I guess we're both idiots, huh?" he muttered.

"Yeah," Mia laughed, "but at least we're idiots together."