Andrea should've known.
That was the worst part.
She did know.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, buried underneath all the emotions and chaos and late-night conversations and kisses in the rain—
She knew.
But she forgot.
Or maybe she just didn't want to think about it.
Until now.
Andrea sat in class half-listening to the teacher when she heard girls behind her whispering.
"Samuel and Lea are still together, right?"
"Yeah, I saw them together yesterday."
Andrea froze instantly.
Lea.
His girlfriend.
Her stomach dropped so suddenly it almost hurt.
The classroom noise became muffled around her.
Because suddenly—
Everything replayed differently.
The lake.
The kisses.
The way he touched her.
The way he said stay.
Andrea stared down at her notebook silently.
Her chest tightening more and more.
What am I doing?
By lunch break, Andrea felt sick.
Actually sick.
Samuel sat across the cafeteria with his friends laughing at something.
Completely normal.
Completely calm.
Meanwhile Andrea felt like her thoughts were tearing her apart.
Teresa noticed immediately.
"What's wrong with you?"
Andrea looked away.
"…Nothing."
Diana frowned.
"You look pale."
Andrea forced a laugh.
"I'm fine."
Lie.
Big lie.
Because all she could think about was:
He has a girlfriend.
And somehow—
That hurt more than she expected.
Not because she thought Samuel was cruel.
But because for one stupid second—
Andrea let herself believe she was finally chosen first.
Andrea avoided him the entire day.
Every hallway.
Every class.
Every glance.
Samuel noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
By the final lesson, he caught her alone near the lockers.
"You're avoiding me."
Andrea kept shoving books into her bag aggressively.
"No I'm not."
Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"You literally walked the other direction when you saw me."
Andrea zipped her bag harshly.
"Coincidence."
"Right."
Andrea grabbed her bag and turned—
Samuel stepped in front of her.
Not aggressive.
Just stopping her.
Andrea's heartbeat immediately sped up.
"Move."
Samuel frowned slightly.
"What happened?"
Andrea laughed quietly.
"You tell me."
Samuel looked genuinely confused.
Andrea stared at him.
Then finally said it.
"You have a girlfriend."
Silence.
Samuel froze slightly.
Andrea laughed bitterly.
"Yeah."
Samuel rubbed the back of his neck slowly.
"Andrea—"
"No," she interrupted quickly. "Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Talk to me like I'm overreacting."
Samuel shook his head immediately.
"I'm not."
Andrea crossed her arms tightly.
"Then explain it to me."
Samuel stayed quiet for a second too long.
And that already hurt.
Andrea looked away sharply.
"Wow."
"It's complicated."
Andrea laughed again.
"That sentence is always bad."
Samuel stepped closer carefully.
"It's not what you think."
Andrea looked at him instantly.
"Then what is it?"
Samuel exhaled slowly.
"We've been distant for months."
Andrea scoffed.
"But still together."
Samuel didn't answer immediately.
Another stab straight to her chest.
Andrea nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Samuel frowned.
"Okay?"
Andrea forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Now I know."
She tried to walk past him again.
Samuel caught her wrist gently.
Andrea stopped instantly.
Her chest tightening.
"Don't do that," she whispered.
Samuel let go immediately.
But his expression stayed tense.
"Andrea, listen to me."
"No," she said quietly. "I listened enough."
Samuel looked frustrated now.
"It's not that simple."
Andrea's eyes burned.
"It never is."
Silence.
Painful silence.
Then Andrea finally looked at him again.
And her voice came out much quieter this time.
"Was I just another distraction?"
Samuel's expression changed instantly.
"No."
The answer came too fast to be fake.
Andrea swallowed hard anyway.
"Then what am I?"
Samuel looked at her like he wanted to answer.
Really answer.
But he didn't.
And somehow—
That hurt even worse.
Andrea nodded slowly.
"Right."
"Andrea—"
"You should figure your relationship out before kissing other girls."
That one landed hard.
Samuel looked genuinely affected by it.
Good.
Because Andrea felt like she was breaking apart inside.
She stepped back slowly.
"I can't do this."
Then she walked away before he could stop her again.
That evening, Andrea sat alone at Šachta again.
Not crying.
Not yet.
Just staring at the water silently.
Her headphones rested around her neck.
Music off.
Everything quiet.
Her chest ached painfully.
Because for one small moment—
She really believed this could become something good.
And now?
It felt messy again.
Complicated again.
Painful again.
Andrea laughed weakly to herself.
"Of course."
The universe always found a way to ruin things before she could fully hold them.
And the worst part?
She still wanted him anyway.
That was what scared her most.