The scent of baked bread and coffee drifted through the canteen, warm and soft, but it couldn't ease the weight pressing on Flora's chest. The echoes of laughter from PE still clung to her skin like a leech she couldn't get rid of.

She rubbed a forefinger nail at the edge of her tray standing in line, eyes unfocused until phone buzzed once in her pocket but she didn't check.

She already knew what waited on the screen. It was reminder of unread message. 

- You looked beautiful today.

Beautiful? I felt like an animal catch in zoo.

Flora paid, and retreated to a quiet corner table. The buzz of students filled the space, yet it wasn't enough to distract her thoughts. She was halfway through unwrapping her sandwich when a shadow fell across her table.

"Mind if I sit here?"

She looked up.

The boy's tone was calm, polite ,yet something about him carried quiet authority, as if he was used to being obeyed without question.

Liam stood there, new uniform crisp, expression unreadable. His presence drew a few curious glances from nearby students; no one recognized him.

Flora gave a small shrug. "Sure. It's free."

He sat, for a moment, neither spoke. Then he glanced up with a faint smile.

"Still deciding what to eat?"

Flora blinked. "No. Just… not hungry, and canteen food makes it worse."

"You should try the egg sandwich," he said easily. "It's the only one that doesn't taste like regret."

"Totally get you"

He nodded solemnly. "I'm still recovering."

A quiet laugh escaped her  small, but real. It startled her how natural it felt, sitting across from him.

"So," she asked after a pause, "transferred already?"

"Yeah," he said. "Section A. They look at me like I'm some kind of trouble."

"Maybe you are."

"Maybe." His eyes met hers, the faintest hint of amusement there. "But you don't seem like the type to believe rumors."

Flora smiled faintly, then lowered her gaze. "Rumors always find someone to stick to."

"True," Liam said quietly. "Especially when people think they know where you come from."

The words hit harder than she expected. He wasn't prying, yet something in his tone made her chest tighten, like he was talking about something far heavier than gossip.

She didn't reply yet, just stirred the straw in her milk.

"So… on what basis did you get into Section A?" she asked.

Liam looked at her. "Don't we just get assigned to whichever section has space?"

Flora chuckled. "No, not really. Usually the ones with money or grades end up in Section A."

Liam gave her a questioning look—as if silently asking, Then why aren't you there? You have at least one of those.

But Flora didn't catch the implication.

And said instead "Well, you look like someone who would have both.

Liam paused, then asked, "The admission department already knows every student's financial background, so why aren't you in Section A?" 

His tone held no judgment, just polite curiosity, the kind used to keep a conversation from fading.

"I didn't really like the group there," Flora said, shrugging lightly. "They seem too proud and flashy for my liking. So I ended up in Section B."

Liam's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he turned back to his food. He didn't push. He didn't need to. Somehow, the silence between them felt understood.

---

The canteen door swung open with a clatter.

Laughter spilled in bright, effortless.

Flora's stomach twisted when she looked who entered.

Austin.

He walked in beside Grace Watson, the  president. The kind of girl people looked at twice, then kept looking. Her hair caught the light; her laugh drew whispers.

Austin said something to her that made her smile, his hand resting casually at her shoulder.

It was such a simple gesture, but it made something in Flora's chest go cold.

Liam noticed her pause, followed her gaze, and his expression shifted, not curiosity, but recognition. That hollow quiet he saw in her eyes… he'd seen it before.

Austin's eyes met Flora's. For a heartbeat, neither looked away.

Then he smiled polite, indifferent.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Flora," he said lightly. His gaze flicked toward Liam. "New company already?"

Liam set his fork down, calm and deliberate.

"It's lunch," he said evenly. "People eat."

Something in his tone carried weight, not aggression, but warning.

Austin blinked, didn't care how they respond, then let out a short laugh. "Right. Well, enjoy your lunch."

He walked away with Grace, still laughing softly at something she said not caring about his childhood sweetheart or a fiance recognized by family.

The sound grated in Flora's ears until it faded behind the chatter.

Her sandwich sat untouched. She wasn't heartbroken, not anymore. Just… hollow. With thought running in her mind, do I really need to invite him.

---

 Liam said suddenly when he looked at her lost appearance, voice low, "People who trade loyalty for appearance, always end up regretting it."

Flora turned her head to him. His gaze wasn't on her; it was far away, lost in some memory she couldn't see.

He stood, tray in hand.

"Don't let people like that decide what you're worth," he added, tone softer now. Then, after a brief pause,

"And… don't skip breakfast next time. You look like you could use the energy."

She didn't know what to say.

It's not like she is heartbroken. She is just burdened with other things.

By the time she found the words, he was already walking away unhurried, steady, disappearing into the sea of students as if he'd been part of it all along.

---

Outside the canteen, the sunlight hit his face, sharp and pale.

He paused near the window just enough to see her sitting there still, staring at nothing.

Same quiet sadness.

Same way she hides it behind a smile.

He closed his eyes briefly, the faintest tremor in his breath.

" I won't watch someone break again."

And with that, Liam turned and walked away, leaving only the echo of footsteps fading into the corridor.