Alex's POV:
{Back in the past meeting June}
Looking at June leaning on my shoulder, my thoughts began to drift—pulled backward through time to memories I'd tried to bury under layers of guilt and longing.
It was back in middle school. I remember walking down the hallway, my footsteps echoing softly in the quiet. The morning sunlight filtered through the dusty windows, casting soft gold patterns on the floor. I glanced around the classroom. June wasn't there yet.
I sighed a little, quietly making my way to my desk. My mind wouldn't settle. It kept replaying the night before—the fight, the blood, and the way her face twisted in fear when she saw what I had done.
Damn it…
Why did I lose control again? Why did she have to see that side of me?
I had terrified her. I knew it. And now, I didn't even know how to face her—much less apologize. What could I possibly say? Sorry you saw me like that? Sorry I looked like a monster?
But fate spared me the trouble—for that day at least. June never showed up.
After school, I walked home under a dull gray sky, the wind biting at my cheeks. My hands were shoved deep in my pockets, eyes fixed on the sidewalk. The thought crossed my mind to stop by her place—to try and explain. But I quickly shook it off.
No. I'd just make things worse. If she sees me anywhere near her home, it'll only confirm what she's probably already thinking. That I'm dangerous. That she should stay far away.
And maybe… maybe she's right.
The next day, though—she was in class.
I froze when I saw her. My chest tightened with relief… and fear. She hadn't stayed home. That was good. But I didn't dare approach her. I kept my distance, tried not to even look her way. I didn't want her to think I didn't respect her space.
That evening, I was walking home again, lost in my own head, when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
"Alex!" a voice called out.
I stopped and turned.
June was jogging toward me, out of breath. She slowed down when she reached me and offered a nervous little smile.
"I… I'm sorry I never got to thank you properly. For saving me the other night. I'm really grateful."
My heart thudded hard in my chest. Her voice was soft—genuine.
"If it's not a problem," she added, "I was thinking I could treat you to a meal. Just to say thanks."
I looked away. "That's not necessary. You don't have to."
"I want to."
I let out a sigh. "Alright. Just… buy me a soda tomorrow or something."
Her eyes lit up. "Deal!"
The next morning when I walked into class, I stopped in my tracks.
There were five soda bottles lined up on my desk—grape, orange, lemon-lime, cola, even some weird mango flavor I didn't know existed. I blinked at them, then looked over at June.
She waved at me, trying to hide her grin.
At break, I walked up to her. "Thanks for the drinks."
The moment the words left my mouth, the class exploded in whispers.
"Did you see that?"
"Is something going on between them?"
"Did June finally charm Alex?"
After that day, something shifted. We started sitting together at lunch. Shared a few jokes. Walked home side by side. I still kept my walls up, but June… June somehow made my world feel a little less cold.
Then Valentine's Day came.
We were walking home under a pale sunset sky, the air crisp but not uncomfortable. June was quieter than usual. Something felt off.
We reached the corner where we usually split. She stopped.
I turned to her. "Something wrong?"
Her cheeks were pink—not from the wind. She looked down and hesitated.
"I like you, Alex," she said softly.
My heart stopped.
"I… I'm not expecting you to say anything right now," she continued. "I just wanted you to know. I'll wait for your answer."
Then she turned and ran before I could say a word. I stood there alone, stunned, her confession echoing in my ears.
The days that followed… she avoided me. Stopped sitting with me. Didn't meet my eyes in class. Left the room the second the bell rang. It felt like someone had taken a blade and carved a hollow space inside my chest.
I hadn't realized how much I'd grown used to her being around. Her voice. Her bad jokes. The way she always tried to drag me out of my own head.
And now it was all gone.
I couldn't leave it like that.
That afternoon, I waited in the shadows of a narrow wooden alley she passed every day on her way home. When she walked by, I reached out and pulled her in gently but quickly.
I covered her mouth with my hand and whispered, "Shh. It's just me. Don't scream."
She tensed at first, but the second she heard my voice, she relaxed.
I slowly removed my hand.
She turned to face me.
I stood there quietly, one hand in my coat pocket, the other pushing my hair back. My heart thudded nervously in my chest.
"I… I'm sorry for scaring you like that," I said. "I didn't know how else to get you to talk to me. You've been avoiding me."
Her eyes dropped. "I didn't mean to. I just… didn't know how to face you after that."
"It's okay," I murmured. "I just needed to say something."
I stepped back a little to give her space. I didn't want her to feel cornered.
"About what you said… your confession."
She looked up, her breath catching.
"I didn't give you an answer then," I said. "But I want to. Just… not here. Not like this."
There was a pause before I added, "Meet me at the bus station tomorrow. Ten o'clock."
Her eyes widened a little. "You'll… give me your answer then?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
She stared at me, trying to read something in my eyes.
Then she nodded quietly. "Okay. I'll be there."
And just like that, she walked away—hair dancing in the wind, the sun setting behind her in a golden blaze.
I stayed there in the alley, heart pounding, chest tight with something I didn't know how to name.
Tomorrow… everything would change.