The Confession and the Decision

Adam finished his lunch in solitude, feeling the calmness of his usual spot, away from the buzz of the classroom.

Heading back, he saw Ani, immersed in conversation with her friend, Monica.

She looked serene, her composed expression contrasting with her friend's lively demeanor.

Ani was the image of focus, her white hair framing her face with an elegance that made her stand out even in simple school attire.

The lunch break soon ended, and classes resumed, each tick of the clock dragging Adam's thoughts back to Ani. Today, he didn't feel like going home alone; he wanted to walk with her.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Adam began packing his bag. His friend Leo, a tall and boisterous classmate, leaned in and smirked. "Hey, I saw you talking to Ani earlier, on the phone" Leo teased.

Adam glanced up, feigning nonchalance. "Yeah, we talked," he replied, trying to mask any hint of his feelings.

Leo, not one to let things slide, chuckled and placed a hand on Adam's shoulder. "So, you're making some real progress, huh? I can't believe you were even at her house yesterday!"

Hearing this, Adam tensed, remembering his visit to Ani's place. He continued to pack his things without meeting Leo's gaze. "Yeah, I was there," he said, hoping his brief response would end the conversation.

But by now, the rest of Adam's friends had overheard. Eric, a wiry guy with a knack for dramatics, threw his hands up. "Wait, Adam went to Ani's house? And you didn't tell us?"

Cole, the level-headed one in their group, chimed in with a smirk, "It's not that shocking, honestly. I could tell something was going on."

Adam, cornered by his friends' scrutiny, sighed and tried to dodge their questions. But Eric, ever persistent, leaned in, "So, Adam... did anything happen? You know, like... anything?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, causing the others to snicker.

Adam shot Eric an exasperated look. "No, nothing happened, alright? You guys are hopeless."

The group laughed, relishing in their teasing, until Leo's expression turned thoughtful. "Alright, alright, we'll stop pushing. But maybe one day, you'll introduce her to us, yeah?"

Adam paused, glancing toward the door as he muttered, "We'll see."

As his friends finally dispersed, Adam pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to Ani: "I'll wait for you at the train station."

In the bustling classroom, Ani sat with Monica, sorting her things when she felt her phone buzz inside her bag.

A subtle flicker of excitement crossed her usually calm face as she saw Adam's message.

However, she quickly composed herself, masking her emotions as her friend continued talking.

After slipping her phone back into her bag, she began gathering her belongings, signaling she was ready to leave.

As Monica prepared to head off to her club meeting, Robin approached, stepping directly into Ani's path.

He looked at her intently, and his tone was earnest. "Ani, remember what I asked earlier?"

It took a moment, but Ani recalled his earlier request for her to meet him at the school's back courtyard.

Realizing he wasn't about to give up, she nodded, gesturing for him to lead the way.

The courtyard was silent as they walked together, the echoes of their steps filling the empty space.

The sun had dipped low, casting long shadows over the walls. Ani could feel a strange weight in the air, and a sense of foreboding crept over her.

Robin, usually confident and bold, appeared slightly nervous.

He hesitated, shifting from one foot to the other, as though gathering the courage for what he was about to say.

Ani watched him patiently, her gaze steady but guarded.

Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with vulnerability. "Ani, I know you've rejected a lot of guys before. I know relationships don't really interest you, and no one in our school has managed to catch your attention." He paused, visibly struggling with his emotions. "But… I've liked you for a long time. I admire everything about you – your dedication, your kindness, your intelligence. I've tried ignoring these feelings, but I just can't."

Ani felt a flicker of discomfort but kept her expression neutral. She knew Robin had feelings for her, yet hearing them spoken so openly was unexpected. Robin, noticing her expression, raised a hand to stop her from responding just yet.

"Please, let me finish," he said, his gaze earnest. "Ani, I'm not asking you to like me back right away. I just want a chance. A chance to be close to you… to be the one you look to." His voice softened. "Will you give me that chance?"

Ani took a deep breath, trying to formulate her words carefully. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, but she knew honesty was the only way forward. "Robin… I'm sorry, but I can't date you." She stepped back, intending to leave, but Robin reached out, his face a mixture of confusion and hurt.

"Why?" he asked, his voice desperate. "Is there something wrong with me? Can't you at least give me a reason?"

She sighed, reluctant but realizing he deserved to understand. "Robin, it's nothing you've done. But the truth is…" she hesitated, knowing this would hurt him. "I like someone else."

Her words hit him like a blow. Robin's face fell, shock evident in his eyes. He seemed to struggle with her revelation, as though the idea of Ani having feelings for someone was inconceivable.

Seeing his reaction, Ani felt a pang of sympathy but maintained her resolve. Robin's emotions were raw, and she knew he needed a moment to process.

Without saying anything further, she gave him a respectful nod and turned to leave.

"Can I… at least know who it is?" he asked, his voice faint, almost pleading.

Ani paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips as Adam's image drifted into her mind. "No, Robin. That's something I'd like to keep to myself."

With that, she walked away, her footsteps fading into the distance. Behind her, Robin stood frozen, the weight of rejection settling heavily on him.

He hadn't just lost his chance with Ani – he'd learned she cared for someone else. His idealized vision of her shattered, leaving him to confront a reality he hadn't been prepared to face.