By now—
Most people had moved on.
Not completely.
But enough to stop talking about it every second.
The rumor didn't die.
It just… reduced.
Like fuel that was finishing slowly.
But she?
She hadn't moved on.
Not really.
Because now—
It wasn't about gossip anymore.
It was about understanding.
She got to the lesson centre earlier than usual that morning.
The compound was still a bit quiet.
Only a few students were around.
The air felt cooler.
Less chaotic.
She dropped her bag and sat down.
For a moment—
She just stayed still.
Listening.
Watching.
Thinking.
If it wasn't both of them…
Then who?
"Ah—you came early today."
She looked up.
Oluchi.
Smiling.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning."
Oluchi sat beside her.
"Today go be hot," she added, fanning herself.
"It's already hot."
They both laughed lightly.
"Where is everybody?" she asked.
"They'll come," Oluchi replied. "You know how they are."
She nodded.
Then—
Agadi entered.
Dragging her slippers slightly.
Face somehow.
"You look like you fought sleep," she said.
"I did," Agadi replied, dropping her bag. "Sleep lost."
Favor came in behind her.
"Onye kwu that thing. This heat is wicked."
Jiggy rushed in again.
Late.
Even though it was still early.
"I almost missed it," he said.
"You almost miss everyday," Agadi replied.
They settled.
The usual.
But her mind—
Still moving.
Then—
The boy walked in.
Alone.
Earlier than usual.
She noticed immediately.
Hmm…
He sat down quietly.
No noise.
No greeting.
Just… there.
Then—
A few minutes later—
The girl came in.
With Mia.
Talking.
Laughing.
She watched carefully.
Very carefully.
No eye contact.
No reaction.
Nothing.
Still nothing.
Agadi leaned in.
"You're watching again."
"I'm not watching."
"You're watching."
"I'm just looking."
Agadi smirked.
"Observer."
She ignored her.
But inside—
She was putting things together.
Class started shortly after.
Mr Charles entered.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, sir."
"Open your books."
Today's lesson was long.
And slightly harder.
Even the serious students were writing slowly.
"Do you understand?" he asked after explaining.
Silence.
Then—
"Sir… small."
He nodded.
"Better. Continue."
He pointed to someone.
Not Jiggy this time.
The student tried.
Got stuck halfway.
Mr Charles sighed.
"You people need to start thinking."
The class laughed lightly.
Then—
He turned suddenly.
"You—why are you looking back?"
The student froze.
"Face your front."
"Yes, sir."
She smiled slightly.
This man misses nothing.
But even with all that—
Her focus kept shifting.
Back.
To them.
Halfway through the class—
Something small happened again.
The boy dropped his pen.
It rolled slightly.
Toward the girl's side.
She saw it.
Paused.
Then picked it up.
For a second—
She held it.
Like she was thinking.
Then she stretched her hand slightly.
Without looking directly at him.
"Your pen," she said.
He collected it.
"Thanks."
That was it.
No extra talk.
No smile.
Nothing.
But this time—
It didn't feel like before.
It felt… distant.
Agadi leaned slowly.
"You saw that?"
"I saw it."
"That was dry."
"Very dry."
Favor shook her head.
"Onye kwu that thing."
She leaned back.
Thinking deeper now.
If there was something…
It's not like before.
Break time came.
And this time—
She didn't stay with them immediately.
"I'll come," she said.
"Where are you going?" Agadi asked.
"I'm coming."
She stepped aside.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Not too close.
Not too far.
She stood where she could see.
Without being obvious.
The boy was outside.
Standing alone again.
Then—
Someone joined him.
Another boy.
They started talking.
Normal.
Nothing strange.
Then—
The girl came out.
With Mia.
She passed by them.
Close enough to notice.
But—
She didn't stop.
Didn't slow down.
Didn't react.
And he?
Didn't call her.
Didn't look.
She exhaled slowly.
Okay…
Now it was clearer.
She walked back.
Agadi looked at her immediately.
"Well?"
She sat down.
Took a breath.
Then—
"I think it's over."
Silence.
Jiggy blinked.
"Over?"
Favor frowned.
"Onye kwu that thing."
Agadi stared at her.
Then slowly—
"You're serious."
She nodded.
"Yes."
Agadi leaned back.
Thinking.
Then—
She smiled slightly.
"Or maybe…"
She paused.
"Something else is happening."
She frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Agadi leaned forward.
Eyes sharp.
"Maybe we were looking at the wrong place."
Silence.
Jiggy blinked again.
"Ah?"
Favor whispered.
"Onye kwu that thing…"
She looked at Agadi.
Carefully.
Agadi didn't smile this time.
She just looked back.
Like she had seen something.
Something different.
Something nobody else had noticed yet.
And for the first time—
She wasn't the only one observing.