How could I possibly hit the principal!?

Ethan had successfully become friends with Vanessa.

And then... well, that was it.

It was already the end of the school day.

Vanessa had to head to her part-time job as a customer service rep.

Ethan had somewhere to be too—he had arranged to meet up with Lila. After everything that had happened between them, it was clear they needed to meet in person and figure out what came next.

But as friends, they still left the classroom together.

To outsiders, they seemed to be chatting and laughing, their relationship looking perfectly smooth. But only the two of them could sense the slight awkwardness hanging in the air.

Like when they reached the school gate and were about to part ways.

Vanessa pointed in one direction. "I'm going this way."

Ethan pointed in the opposite direction. "I'm headed that way."

And then, suddenly, there was an awkward silence.

"I, uh..."