Cecil was still in shock and dilemma. What could he do? Both Bella and Noah were important to him. If he listened to Bella, he would be away from Noah. They will be distanced even more. If he wished to be near Noah then it would be difficult for Bella.
He thought for a while and finally made a decision. If he was moving away to next city, why not confess his feelings to Noah? He didn't want to leave without saying anything so that he would not regret in future thinking maybe he had a chance. After confessing, if Noah finds him disgusting or rejects him then he will never contact Noah again. He will be far away from Noah, forever out of Noah's life. He didn't want to stay near Noah seeing his strange eyes towards him. At least, he would feel reassured in the future thinking he had confessed and didn't have a chance rather than staying ignorant whole life.
The final exam was going to start. Cecil kept this matter secret from everyone and would only tell them on the last day of the exam. He also planned to confess to Noah on the same day. Cecil felt it was a good decision. Then, he started to prepare for exams.
One hell of a week was finally going to end. It was the last day of the exam. Cecil was mentally prepared to confess everything. He met with everyone on the last day and went to their respective exam halls. The exam hours was three. The last bell rang indicating the exam hour was over. Cecil hurriedly exited the exam hall and started searching Noah. Cecil had already discussed with Katherine about confessing his feelings to Noah after the last exam and Katherine had supported his decision. Instead of being in dilemma, it was better to confess everything.
Before he could find Noah, Samaira came in front of him. Cecil smiled and asked, "How was your exam?"
Samaira also smiled and replied, "It was good. What about your?"
"Good."
Samaira was fidgeting her fingers. It looked like she wanted to say something. Cecil understood Samaira's unusual behaviour easily and asked, "Do you want to say something to me?"
Samaira looked at Cecil with both regretful and embarrassed expression.
"Actually I wanted to say something. In fact I want to be the first one to tell you before you hear it from others. I had wanted to tell you before exams but didn't tell thinking you'd be stressed out."
Cecil was having a bad premonition in his heart. He asked, "What do you want to say?"
Samaira held Cecil's both hands and anxiously said, "Promise me, you won't be angry with me. Promise me, you won't hate me after this."
Cecil was really starting to feel something bad was going to happen. He felt like he didn't want to listen what Samaira was going to say but still he said, "Say me."
Samaira eyes were starting to fill with tears. She saw Noah walking by with his friends and called out to him. Noah came in front of Cecil and Samira put her right arm around Noah's left arm leaving Cecil's both hand which she was holding in front of everyone.
"Actually before our exam, Noah proposed me and we are together now."
Cecil felt like he heard wrong. Everyone was cheering them while Cecil was standing without being able to make any sound. He stuttered and asked, "W-When?"
Noah answered bashfully, "It was a day before the exam. We were planning to surprise you and everyone."
Cecil smiled which was quite not a smile and said, "Y-Yeah, you r-really surprised me."
Indeed everyone was surprised including Cecil and Katherine. Katherine looked at Cecil with worry. She had already said to Cecil before that his chances are really low but she still wanted them to be together. She really was feeling bad. Cecil was feeling like the ground below him had shattered and he was falling in the deep dark abyss. He could literally hear the sound of his heartbreaking. He had expected it but had never thought it would hurt this much when it actually happened. Everything was looking dark and grey for him. Samaira's and Noah's hands were interlocked with each other. For a moment his mind was blank.
Ah as a good friend what should he say? What should he do? He should be happy, right? But his heart was betraying his mind. Tears were going to form in his eyes. Everyone was congratulating them, he should also too, right.
Cecil somehow controlled his emotions and forcefully formed a smile on his face. He then looked at both of them and said,
"Congratulation."