Rex looked down at his lunch.
Still unfinished.
His fingers tightened slightly around the lunchbox—
the plastic creaking faintly under his grip.
Then—
he closed it anyway.
He stood up.
A little too quickly.
And went after her.
Evi was already walking away.
Not fast.
But not slow either.
Rex followed.
A few steps.
Then more.
But within moments—
she was gone.
His steps slowed.
He looked around.
Left.
Right.
Nothing.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
"…where did she go?"
Before he could think further—
the bell rang.
Break was over.
He exhaled quietly—
but the uneasiness didn't leave his chest.
Then he turned back toward the classroom.
When he entered—
his steps slowed again.
Evi was already there.
Talking.
Normally.
To Herry.
Rex's grip on his bag tightened slightly.
Herry didn't reply.
Didn't even look at her properly.
Rex walked to his seat—
sat down—
but his gaze didn't leave them.
On the other side—
Evi kept talking.
Nonstop.
"Did you like the lunch?"
A small pause—
then she added,
"I made it myself."
Rex's brows pulled together slightly.
A moment ago… she just left.
Now she's acting like nothing happened.
Herry stayed silent.
Then—
a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Small.
Unintentional.
Rex noticed it.
His fingers stilled on the desk—
like something just caught his attention fully.
Evi saw it immediately.
Her eyes lit up.
"Look—"
she leaned slightly closer,
"you smiled."
Herry's expression changed instantly.
The smile disappeared.
Replaced with his usual calm face.
But something about that moment—
lingered.
Didn't fully fade.
The teacher entered.
The class settled.
But Rex didn't.
His gaze stayed fixed—
on them.
Evi pulled out a piece of paper.
Started writing.
She slid it toward Herry carefully—
Herry didn't react outwardly.
Didn't reply.
But his eyes lowered slightly—
reading.
Rex noticed that.
Not the words—
just the change.
Evi wrote again.
And again.
Her hand moved quickly—
like she didn't want to stop.
She thought he was ignoring her.
But he wasn't.
His expression shifted—
almost unnoticeable.
Sometimes neutral.
Sometimes softer.
Rex's fingers tightened slightly around his pen—
a quiet tension building in his grip.
What are they even talking about…?
He kept watching.
Too focused.
Too still.
"Rex."
No response.
His eyes didn't move.
"Rex."
Still nothing.
A piece of chalk flew across the room—
and hit his shoulder.
A soft thud.
Rex flinched slightly.
His head snapped forward—
like he had just been pulled back to reality.
"Pay attention."
The teacher's voice was sharp.
Rex straightened immediately.
"Even a top student doesn't get to ignore the class."
A few students chuckled quietly.
Rex's jaw tightened slightly—
a faint embarrassment settling in.
"…sorry."
He lowered his gaze to the desk—
but his fingers still felt tense.
After a moment—
his eyes shifted again.
Back to them.
Herry's expression had changed again.
This time—
he smiled.
Small.
But real.
Rex saw that.
And something about it—
didn't sit right.
Didn't feel normal.
After the classes ended—
students started packing their bags.
Noise filled the room again.
Voices overlapping.
Chairs scraping.
Herry packed quickly.
Then stood up—
and tried to leave.
"Wait."
Evi's voice stopped him.
Rex's hand paused mid-zip—
his attention snapping back again.
Herry stopped for a second—
then remembered something—
and started walking again.
But she had already caught up.
They walked side by side.
Rex watched them.
Still standing near his desk.
"So…"
Evi tilted her head slightly,
"you really forgave me?"
Herry didn't answer.
Evi stepped closer—
then suddenly reached for his hand.
Caught him off guard.
Her fingers wrapped around his.
Rex's breath caught slightly—
a faint, unfamiliar tightness forming in his chest.
For a moment—
Herry froze.
Then he pulled his hand away.
Too quickly.
His ears turned red.
He looked away—
trying to hide it.
But not fast enough.
Evi saw it.
Her smile widened slightly.
She stepped even closer.
"You still like me…"
A small pause.
"…don't you?"
FLASHBACK
Yesterday.
No—
years ago.
When they were little.
Evi's family moved in next door to Herry's.
Herry, curious, walked toward their house—
wanting to see their new neighbors.
But while walking—
he tripped.
Fell hard.
A sharp sting spread across his knee.
Tears filled his eyes immediately.
He sat there—
crying quietly.
Then—
a voice.
"You're crying for just this small injury?"
Herry looked up.
Evi stood there.
Hands on her hips.
Looking at him like it wasn't a big deal.
Herry quickly wiped his tears—
trying to look strong in front of her.
He stood up.
Tried to walk.
—and fell again.
Evi blinked.
Then sighed softly.
"Wait here."
She ran off.
Herry stayed there.
Quiet.
Sniffling slightly—
but waiting.
After a few moments—
she came back.
With bandages.
She knelt down.
Carefully placing it on his injured knee.
Her fingers were gentle—
much softer than her words.
After that—
she lifted his arm.
Placed it over her shoulder.
"Where's your house?"
Herry pointed with his finger.
"Oh… this near?"
She smiled slightly.
"That means we're neighbors."
They walked slowly.
Step by step.
When they reached his house—
Evi tried to ring the bell.
But she couldn't reach it.
She tried again.
Still couldn't.
"Just open the door," Herry said.
Evi immediately shook her head.
"No. That's not proper."
So Herry called out for his mother.
She came out quickly.
Her face filled with worry.
"What happened?"
She checked his knee—
then noticed the bandage.
"How did you get injured?"
"I just fell."
"Hello, aunty"Evi said.
Herry's mother looked at Evi.
Slightly surprised.
"Hello… who are you? I've never seen you here before."
"I'm Evica. We just moved here… we are your new neighbors."
"Oh, nice to meet you, Evica."
"Nice to meet you too, aunty."
"Come inside—"
Evi shook her head quickly.
"I'm sorry, aunty… my mumma called me. I just came to help him reach home."
She stepped back.
"Bye."
Then while running—
she turned slightly.
"Aunty, you can call me Evi!"
After reaching home—
she told her mother everything that had happened.
And said"Our neighbors are very good neighbours,mama."
Her mother smiled.
"Then go tomorrow and give them some cookies."
Evi nodded happily.
"Yes."
The next day—
she went with cookies.
Herry's mother was surprised—
And welcomed her warmly.
Then she called out—
"Herry, come downstairs. Your friend came to meet you."
At first—
he didn't come.
"Herry."
Still nothing.
Then she said—
"Evi is here."
Footsteps.
Fast.
He came down quickly—
like he had been waiting.
His footsteps echoed softly through the house.
As he reached the bottom—
his pace slowed a little.
He glanced toward the living room.
Evi was already there.
Sitting neatly on the sofa.
A small smile on her face.
She looked up the moment she saw him.
"You're late."
Herry shook his head slightly.
"…I'm not late."
Evi tilted her head, unimpressed.
Herry didn't argue further.
Instead—
he walked closer.
Then stopped in front of his mother in the kitchen.
"…mom."
She turned toward him.
Herry hesitated for a second.
Then asked softly—
"…can I go and play with Evi?"
His mother glanced at Evi, then back at him.
A gentle smile formed.
"Yes, but be careful."
Herry nodded quickly.
"…okay."
Without wasting time—
he turned back.