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Chapter 15 - chapter 15 Canteen Encounter

In canteen

The scent of baked bread and coffee drifted through the canteen, warm and soft, but it couldn't ease the weight pressing on Flora's chest. The echoes of laughter from PE still clung to her skin like something she couldn't wash away.

She stood in line, fingers tracing the edge of her tray, eyes unfocused on the sandwiches behind the glass. Her phone buzzed once in her pocket she didn't need to check.

She already knew what waited on the screen.

"You looked beautiful today".

Her throat tightened. Beautiful? She hadn't felt that way in a long time.

Flora picked up her tray, paid, and retreated to a quiet corner table. The buzz of students filled the space, too loud to think, too empty to feel part of. She was halfway through unwrapping her sandwich when a shadow fell across her table.

"Mind if I sit here?"

She looked up.

The boy's tone was calm, polite ,yet something about him carried quiet authority, as if he was used to being obeyed without question.

Liam stood there, new uniform crisp, expression unreadable. His presence drew a few curious glances from nearby students; no one recognized him yet, but they would soon.

Flora gave a small shrug. "Sure. It's free."

He sat, not waiting for her to fill the silence.

For a moment, neither spoke just the soft clink of his fork against the plate, the hum of air-conditioning above. Then he glanced up with a faint smile.

"Still deciding what to eat?"

Flora blinked. "I already decided. Just… not hungry."

"You should try the egg sandwich," he said easily. "It's the only one that doesn't taste like regret."

Her lips twitched before she could stop herself. "That bad?"

He nodded solemnly. "I'm still recovering."

A quiet laugh escaped her small, but real. It startled her how natural it felt, sitting across from him.

"So," she asked after a pause, "transferred already?"

"Yeah," he said. "Section A. They look at me like I'm some kind of trouble."

"Maybe you are."

"Maybe." His eyes met hers, the faintest hint of amusement there. "But you don't seem like the type to believe rumors."

Flora smiled faintly, then lowered her gaze. "Rumors always find someone to stick to."

"True," Liam said quietly. "Especially when people think they know where you come from."

The words hit harder than she expected. He wasn't prying, yet something in his tone made her chest tighten, like he was talking about something far heavier than gossip.

She didn't reply, just stirred the straw in her milk.

Liam's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned back to his food. He didn't push. He didn't need to. Somehow, the silence between them felt understood.

---

The canteen door swung open with a clatter.

Laughter spilled in bright, effortless.

Flora's stomach twisted before she even looked up.

Austin.

He walked in beside Grace Watson, the president. The kind of girl people looked at twice, then kept looking. Her hair caught the light; her laugh drew whispers.

Austin said something to her that made her smile, his hand resting casually at her shoulder.

It was such a simple gesture, but it made something in Flora's chest go cold. Do I really need to invite him.

Liam noticed her pause, followed her gaze, and his expression shifted, not curiosity, but recognition. That hollow quiet he saw in her eyes… he'd seen it before.

Austin's eyes met Flora's. For a heartbeat, neither looked away.

Then he smiled polite, indifferent.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Flora," he said lightly. His gaze flicked toward Liam. "New company already?"

Liam set his fork down, calm and deliberate.

"It's lunch," he said evenly. "People eat."

Something in his tone carried weight, not aggression, but warning.

Austin blinked, didn't care how they respond, then let out a short laugh. "Right. Well, enjoy your lunch."

He walked away with Grace, still laughing softly at something she said.

The sound grated in Flora's ears until it faded behind the chatter.

Her sandwich sat untouched. She wasn't heartbroken, not anymore. Just… hollow.

---

"People who trade loyalty for appearance," Liam said suddenly, voice low, "always end up regretting it."

Flora looked up sharply. His gaze wasn't on her; it was far away, lost in some memory she couldn't see.

He stood, tray in hand.

"Don't let people like that decide what you're worth," he added, tone softer now. Then, after a brief pause,

"And… don't skip breakfast next time. You look like you could use the energy."

She didn't know what to say.

It's not like she is heartbroken. She is just burdened with other things.

By the time she found the words, he was already walking away unhurried, steady, disappearing into the sea of students as if he'd been part of it all along.

---

Outside the canteen, the sunlight hit his face, sharp and pale.

He paused near the window just enough to see her sitting there still, staring at nothing.

Same quiet sadness.

Same way she hides it behind a smile.

He closed his eyes briefly, the faintest tremor in his breath.

This time… I won't watch someone break again.

And with that, Liam turned and walked away, leaving only the echo of footsteps fading into the corridor.

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