The results came out a week later on a morning too bright for anyone still half asleep The hallways buzzed louder than usual laughter nerves paper rustling the smell of coffee and printer ink I told myself I didn’t care that much but my stomach had other plans My phone vibrated once a short message from Liam meet me after you check yours

I stood in front of the board the names printed in neat rows My eyes moved down the list until they found mine then stopped one line below it his name the score higher than I expected I laughed quietly to myself he’d actually done it The thought made my chest feel too full I took a picture of the results like proof that the deal was real

When I turned around he was already there leaning against the wall like he’d been waiting forever His hoodie hood down hair messier than usual He said well tutor looks like you’re out of a job I said looks like you passed He said barely I said still counts He said guess you owe me then I said guess I do

We walked outside the air warm and light wind in our hair He said so what’s this secret favorite place you’ve been hiding I said if I tell you it won’t be secret He said that’s the point I rolled my eyes said fine but you have to promise not to ruin it He said I don’t ruin things I said that’s a lie He said okay sometimes

We left campus crossed two streets and cut through the park the one behind the old community center The grass was still damp from yesterday’s rain The path curved toward a small hill with an oak tree in the middle I said this is it He looked around said it’s quiet I said that’s why I like it He dropped his bag on the ground sat down under the tree said good choice

We stayed there a long time not talking at first just watching the clouds shift shapes He pulled a small carton of milk from his bag offered it to me said celebration I said that’s all you brought He said I didn’t plan ahead He laughed small and tired the kind of laugh that stays longer than it should

He said you know when we first made that deal I didn’t think it’d work I said you mean passing He said that too but mostly us sitting here like this He picked up a twig drew random lines in the dirt said you always look like you’re somewhere else even when you’re right in front of me I said maybe I was just afraid to stay He said and now I said maybe I’m not

He looked up his eyes half in shadow half in light said you ever think about what happens after all this like after exams after school I said sometimes He said I don’t know what I want yet but I think I’d like to figure it out with someone who doesn’t quit I said that’s oddly specific He said yeah I’m oddly specific

The sun slipped lower the sky turning orange The sound of kids playing in the distance mixed with the hum of cars It felt like the world was still moving but slower just for us He said thanks for not giving up on me I said you did all the work He said no you just made me believe I could

When it got dark he stood stretched said come on I’ll walk you home We walked side by side not touching but close enough to share the same shadow At the corner near the station he stopped said deal complete I said not yet you still owe me He said for what I said for keeping your promise He smiled that quiet kind of smile the one that says more than words and said then maybe I’ll keep owing you forever

I didn’t answer I just nodded and watched him walk away the evening swallowing his figure bit by bit The air smelled like the start of summer new and endless I looked at the hill in the distance thought about the oak tree and all the things we hadn’t said yet and whispered to myself deal