The school festival changed everything. By late afternoon, the campus was no longer the same place Liam had known every day. Classrooms had turned into themed booths.
Hallways were decorated with banners, paper lanterns, and colorful lights. Even the usually strict teachers seemed… relaxed. Music echoed from different corners of the school.
Laughter filled the air. Students walked around in groups, some in costumes, some carrying food, others taking pictures like it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
It felt like a completely different world. Liam stood near the entrance gate, hands in his pockets, quietly watching everything.
For a moment, he forgot why he was there. The lights reflected in his eyes. The noise surrounded him.
The energy of the festival pulled him in.
But something inside him remained still. His heart was already racing. Tonight was the night.
He slowly clenched his hand. "I'll confess today." The words didn't feel like a thought anymore.
They felt like a decision. Final. He exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. "…No backing out," he muttered. He had waited long enough.
Watched from a distance long enough. Made excuses long enough.
If he didn't do it now.
He might never do it at all. His eyes wandered through the crowd. Searching.
And then. He found her. Mandy.
She stood near one of the busiest booths, talking to a group of students. Her voice carried slightly over the noise, calm but energetic. "Make sure the line stays organized, okay?"
"And don't forget the tickets—no tickets, no entry." She moved quickly from one side to another, checking everything. Fixing small problems before they became big ones.
As always. She was at the center of everything.
Liam watched her quietly. Her hair swayed slightly as she turned.
The festival lights reflected softly on her face. Her smile.
The same one he had memorized without even realizing it. "…She looks happy," he whispered.
For a moment. He hesitated. What if… What if telling her ruined that smile? What if things changed?
What if she looked at him differently after tonight? Liam shook his head. "…No." He couldn't think like that now. This wasn't about winning or losing.
This wasn't about whether she would say yes or no. This was about being honest. With her. With himself. He took a deep breath.
"…Just do it." No more hesitation. No more overthinking. No more running away from what he felt. He stepped forward. One step. Then another. The closer he got, the louder everything felt. The music. The laughter. Even his own heartbeat.
"…Calm down," he whispered under his breath. He tightened his grip on the small paper bag he was holding. Inside it was something simple.
Nothing expensive. Nothing special. Just a small keychain he had seen earlier that day. It reminded him of her. He didn't even know why.
But it felt right. As he approached the booth, he slowed down slightly. Mandy was still busy. Talking to another student now. "Thank you for helping earlier," she said with a gentle smile.
Liam stopped just a few steps away. For a moment. He just stood there.
Watching. "…Say it," he told himself. But his voice wouldn't come out. His throat felt dry.
His chest felt tight. "…Why is this so hard?" Because it mattered. Because she mattered. "Liam?"
He blinked. Mandy was looking at him now. Her expression slightly surprised. But still soft. Still warm. "You're here," she said.
He forced a small smile. "Yeah… I just got here." "For the festival?"
"…Yeah." There was a brief pause. Then she smiled again. "Good. You should look around—it's really fun this year." Liam nodded slowly. "…Actually," he said. His voice felt heavier now.
"I wanted to talk to you." Mandy tilted her head slightly. "Right now?" He hesitated. Just for a second. "…When you're free." Her eyes softened a little.
"Okay," she said. "Give me some time. I just need to finish here." "…Alright." He stepped back. Giving her space again.
But this time. He wasn't running away. He turned and walked toward the courtyard. The lights felt brighter now. The noise louder.
But his thoughts were clearer. "…This is it." No more delays. No more "maybe next time."
Tonight. Everything would change. Whether he was ready or not. Liam looked up at the sky, now slowly turning darker as night approached.
"…Please," he whispered quietly. He wasn't sure what he was asking for. Courage. A miracle. Or maybe just… a chance.
He closed his eyes for a moment. Then opened them again. Determined.
Because later. When the lights shined the brightest.
When the festival reached its peak. He would finally say the words he had been holding onto for so long.
"I like you." And no matter what happened after that. At least this time… He wouldn't run.