His tone wasn’t cold anymore; it was guarded but… open?

 Like whatever I was about to say, he’d actually listen.He shifted his weight slightly, hands still tucked in his pockets—waiting. The hallway felt too quiet suddenly with just the two of us standing there.

“That day, before the competition, you told me to wait near the Science building but you never showed up. I was waiting there…... For you.”

Theo’s entire body froze. The color drained from his face for a split second—like the words physically punched him in the gut. "…Shit." He breathed out, eyes widening just slightly before guilt crashed over his expression like a wave.

“That day—I had been late because my friends pulled me into some stupid argument after the assembly.I  forgot to inform you first , forgot to warn you… and by the time I realized, it was too late. I thought you were already gone.I didn’t mean to stand you up," he muttered, voice uncharacteristically soft with regret.

My eyes were never leaving his face and ears – missing no words that came out of his mouth.This was the first time we talked. Really talked.

Alone.

We were close to each other. There was no distraction. 

JUST US 

Delving into the moment with each other’s presence. I gave him a soft  smile and wrapped my words to leave. “ So, …are you gonna come to the club meetup? Debate Club Meetup. I heard we are having one with our fellows the day after tomorrow at “Casa da Saudade {House of Longing}.”

Theo blinked, caught off guard by my  sudden smile—it was the first time I’d looked at him like that in months.

"Debate…?" He repeated dumbly before clearing his throat. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he processed the question. “Are you staying here? I thought you were moving to the sports club. I saw you playing badminton the other day.”

So, Theo even noticed where I was going and what I was doing.The thought made my  stupid heart flattered. Then—after a beat of hesitation—he nodded. "Yeah. I’ll come." His voice was gruff but not cold this time… almost careful, like he didn’t want to mess this up again.

The school year dragged on, and Theo  never showed up to that debateclub meetup—or any other. It was like the moment he’d apologized, something shifted… but not in a good way.Now we were both just ghosts passing each other in the halls. Those brief eye contacts? They burned—filled with unspoken tension, regret, maybe even longing—but neither of us ever spoke again. 11th grade went faster than expected  and for some reason, seeing him every day like this suddenly felt unbearable. 

A new club that triggered my interest more. Martial art club. I left the debate  club and it was the end of my direct interaction with my beloved Theo. I joined karate. He stayed there. I heard he became the president of that debate club. And me ? I became the secretary of the karate club students panel of class of 2023. I wished I could go and congratulate him.

 Alone. 

Maybe give him a hug. But I didn't because he stopped talking to me first. If he just started , just. Everything could've been about us. 

The school split us into two different worlds—Theo  thriving in the quiet, academic space of the debate club as president, while I dove headfirst into martial arts. My life became early morning training sessions, disciplined routines, and a newfound confidence that had nothing to do with him.But sometimes… when our paths crossed? Like at assemblies or during class changes? I’d catch myself staring. Just for a second. Wondering if he still thought about that day near the Science building… or if he ever regretted letting things fade like this.

‘He never approached me .’ 

And I refused to approach him. It was stupid pride on both sides—but neither of us broke first until one day.