Exams came right after Jeju.
No break. Just—boom—papers, pens, stress.
We were all in it together.
Same school. Same madness.
Emma, the boys, me. Nena too—but different course, different hall. We barely saw her.
Still…
We were doing good.
I think.
Results? Unknown. Confidence? Shaky.
Today's paper?
Wicked.
The kind that humbles you.
I finished early. Or maybe I just ran away first.
I went to my spot.
The beach.
That tall tree.
Quiet. Mine.
I sat down, pulled out my sketchbook.
It's been a while.
Too long.
I started sketching—random lines, soft curves, nothing serious.
But it felt good.
It always does.
A shadow fell over me.
I looked up.
Mark.
Standing there, hands in his pockets, smiling down at me.
"Escaped too?" I asked.
He sat beside me. "Barely survived."
I laughed softly.
He glanced at my sketchbook.
"You still can't draw human beings."
I gasped. "Excuse me?"
He smirked.
I shook my head, smiling. "And you still remember I draw."
He nodded. "That's what made you interesting."
I paused. "Back then?"
"First time I met you," he said. "You were… different."
I snorted. "Feisty."
"Scary," he corrected.
I nudged him. "Rude."
I looked down at my sketch again.
Then at him.
"But I'll draw you," I said suddenly.
He blinked. "Me?"
"Yeah." I smiled softly. "Properly this time."
He raised a brow. "Why?"
I hesitated.
Then—
"Because I don't want to forget the people who stayed."
Silence.
"And you…" I added quietly, "you've always been there. Even when I didn't see it."
He turned away.
Quick.
Too quick.
"Mark?"
"I'm fine," he said. Too fast.
I watched him for a second.
Then I leaned in—
And hugged him.
Just like that.
He froze.
Then slowly… hugged me back.
Tight.
Like he needed it more than he'd admit.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
He frowned slightly. "For what?"
"For not noticing… sooner."
He exhaled. A quiet, tired breath.
"It's okay," he said. "You noticed now."
I pulled back a little.
He didn't look at me.
Just stared ahead.
Then—
"You'll be happy," he said softly.
"With him."
My chest tightened.
"Mark—"
He shook his head, smiling faintly.
"It's fine," he said. "I've accepted it."
Pause.
Then—lighter—
"I officially give you my blessing."
I stared at him.
Then laughed softly. "Wow. Thank you, your highness."
He nodded. "You're welcome."
We stayed like that for a second longer.
Close. Quiet.
Not sad.
Just… real.
Mark pulled back first, rubbing the back of his neck.
"That was nice," he said.
I nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah… it was."
"Of course you'd be here."
We turned.
Nena dropped beside us like she'd planned it all along, handing out cold drinks.
"I brought for all ten of us," she said proudly.
"All ten?" I raised a brow. "Who are you and what have you done with Nena?"
She rolled her eyes. "Drink and be grateful."
Mark chuckled. "Thank you, provider."
Nena tilted her head. "Wait… what happened to Regina? It's been quiet."
I nodded. "Yeah…"
Mark blinked. "Oh—right. I forgot to tell you guys."
We both looked at him.
"She left. School… and the country. She wants to write her exams somewhere else."
I sighed. "Oh… Regina…"
"We still talk," he added.
I nodded. "That's good."
Suddenly—
Arms wrapped around Nena from behind.
She didn't even react.
Jake.
"Missed me?" he said.
"Barely," she replied calmly.
He nudged Mark, then looked at me.
"Ugly goat."
I gasped. "Don't call me that!"
He smirked. "It fits."
"Where's Ethan?" I asked.
Jake shrugged. "Still inside."
Mark frowned. "Still?"
"He checked his answers like ten times," Jake said.
Mark blinked. "…Of course he did."
Nena handed Jake a drink.
He took it like it was his right.
"Look," Mark said.
We turned.
Liam and Emma were walking toward us, laughing about something.
Mark shook his head slightly. "He's changed."
Jake nodded. "Yeah."
I tilted my head. "Emma said he didn't confess though… just 'giving her a chance.'"
Nena snorted. "Please."
Before they reached us—
"Wait!"
We turned again.
Luca came jogging toward us, slightly out of breath, holding a box.
"I—uh—Dad said to give you guys this."
He opened it.
Cupcakes.
Actual cupcakes.
Liam's eyes lit up. "I love this family."
"Thank you!" Emma smiled.
"Aww, Luca," Nena said, taking one.
I grabbed one too. "Best delivery boy ever."
Luca smiled shyly.
Liam and Emma finally reached us.
"How was the exam?" Emma asked.
"Terrible," I said.
"Survivable," Mark corrected.
"This is the last one, right?" Liam asked.
"Yeah!" we all said.
"Who's still inside?"
We turned.
Ethan.
Finally.
He walked over and dropped beside me immediately.
"The exam was hard," he muttered.
Then—
He turned to me.
Opened his hand.
And pouted.
"…I need emotional support."
I blinked.
Then laughed softly. "You're serious?"
He nodded once. "Very."
I placed my hand in his.
He closed his fingers around mine instantly.
Like he'd been waiting.
"…Better," he said quietly.
I smiled. "Drama king."
"Only for you," he muttered.
I blinked.
He looked away quickly.
Jake squinted at them. "Not only Liam… Ethan has changed too."
Liam nodded. "Facts."
Mark smirked. "Character development."
Nena grinned. "We love to see it."
I looked around.
At all of them.
Laughing. Eating cupcakes. Arguing over who gets the last one.
Different.
Better.
"We all changed," I said softly.
Jake scoffed. "Speak for yourself."
"You literally just hugged Nena five minutes ago," I shot back.
He paused. "…That didn't happen."
We all laughed.
And just like that—
Everything felt right.
Luca suddenly clapped his hands together.
"Let's pray," he said softly.
We all blinked, then nodded.
He closed his eyes, lips moving silently.
"…Amen," he finished.
"Amen," I said.
"Amen," Nena echoed.
"Amen," Emma smiled.
"Ameen," Liam added.
"Amin," Mark said softly.
"Amen," Jake muttered.
Ethan didn't speak, just nodded once.
Luca opened his eyes, smiling shyly.
Then—
A nudge from behind.
Luca turned.
A boy stood there.
Tall, lean, dark messy hair falling over his forehead.
His school jacket hung loosely, sleeves rolled up.
Warm brown eyes that seemed to see right through Luca, a quiet confidence in his stance.
"Luca," he said. "I've been waiting. Emily too."
"You Just ran away."
Luca blinked.
"Really?" he whispered.
"Yes," the boy—whose name was Kai—added. "Don't ask me that. You've been alone enough. Don't avoid me."
Luca hesitated.
"…I'm Luca," he said softly, "I'm too shy… Emily wouldn't want me there."
Kai shook his head. "You're Luca, I'm Kai and I want you there. Don't overthink it."
Luca turned to us, nervously glancing between everyone.
Kai looked at us again. "Sorry for taking him, he's with me now. Mind?"
"Not at all," I said quickly.
"Go," Nena nodded.
"Yeah," Liam grinned.
"Don't be awkward," Jake added.
Mark smiled softly. "You'll be fine."
Ethan gave a small approving nod.
Kai held out his hand.
Luca stared.
Hesitated.
Then, slowly, reached out.
Kai squeezed his hand gently.
"Come on," he said, smiling.
Luca let himself be pulled along, stumbling once, laughing nervously.
We watched them walk away.
Liam blinked. "Hmm…"
"What?" Emma asked.
"That's the kind of friend he needs," Liam said, voice soft.
Nena nodded. "Someone who just… pulls him along when he's stuck."
Mark folded his arms, smiling faintly. "Yeah… someone who doesn't let him overthink."
Jake scoffed. "He'll be fine."
I smiled softly, watching Luca and Kai disappear down the path.
"He will be."