AFTER THE SILENCE

Sheila had left the schoolyard, but Fred was still frozen in place. He looked at the red-stained shirt he was wearing and took a deep breath for a moment. His eyes were filled with confusion and anger.

— Ashley, do you even realize what you've done? — Ethan said in a calm, but firm voice.

Ashley lowered her eyes.

— I just told the truth. Is living in a lie better?

— But you didn't have to do it like this! — Rima stepped forward. — Do you know what this means for Sheila?

— I don't care! — Ashley shrugged. — She trusted Fred. Now, she's learned who he really is.

Victoria rolled her eyes.

— And you think this will help her? You think Fred knew?

Ashley paused for a moment. Then she looked at Fred.

— Did he know?

Fred closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again.

— No.

Everyone fell silent. For a moment, the wind blew, and the streamers hanging for graduation day swayed in the breeze. The chaos of this moment unsettled everyone.

Orlich silently observed the events. Finally, he slowly walked over to Fred.

— Whether you knew or not doesn't matter, Fred. What matters now is that you know. And now you must choose what to do.

Fred lowered his head. Everything had changed for him in an instant. He had always wanted the best for Sheila. But now it seemed he had unknowingly become a part of her greatest nightmare.

Emma moved next to Fred.

— Are you just going to let her go?

Fred seemed to flinch.

— I... I don't know.

Ethan placed a hand on Fred's shoulder.

— At least try to talk to her. Maybe... maybe everything isn't over yet.

Fred took a deep breath.

— I don't want to lose her.

— Then go, — Rima said softly.

Fred hesitated for a moment, then turned around and walked out of the schoolyard to chase after Sheila.

Ashley was still standing in place. But this time, there was no victory in her expression, only indecision. Maybe she hadn't expected it to end like this.

Emma looked up at the sky. The sun was shining, but she felt as if rain was about to fall.

Because no one knew which direction these relationships were headed.