After witnessing Sarah and William even though they were arguing Lucas felt sad and insecure about losing Sarah again so he finished his lunch and headed to the classroom.
Ava, seated nearby, had been watching him closely. Noticing his unusually sad mood, she decided to follow him.
She found him alone in the classroom, wilted in a chair by the window, his gaze lost in the world beyond.
"Hey, Lucas," she said softly, stepping inside. "What's going on? Long time, no see."
Lucas glanced up, startled. "Ava. Yeah… it's been a while."
"Yeah, it has," Ava said, pulling up a chair. "But that's because you distanced yourself from us. You've been spending all your time with Sarah and her group."
Lucas leaned back, crossing his arms. "They matter to me."
Ava tilted her head. "Fair enough. But we were good friends too, you know. And if something's bothering you, you can talk to me. Maybe I can help, as a true friend."
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Can I trust you? I mean… can you promise to keep it between us?"
"Of course," Ava replied without hesitation. "Whatever you say stays here. You've got my word." Lucas let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Okay. Here's the thing—I have a crush on someone. She's my best friend. And I'm terrified that if I tell her, it'll ruin everything. Our friendship, the way we are now… all of it." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't even know how she feels about me."
Ava leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Hmm. Let me guess. Since she's your best friend, that narrows it down to Sophia and Sarah. But Olivia likes Oliver, and you don't act the same way with Sophia. So… it's Sarah, isn't it?"
Lucas stiffened, his eyes widening. "How did you know? I didn't even tell you!"
Ava smiled knowingly. "You didn't have to. It's written all over your face—and in the way you treat her. You care about her differently than the others."
Lucas looked away, frustration creeping into his voice. "If it's so obvious to you, why can't she see it? Why doesn't anyone just tell her?"
Ava's smile faded slightly, her tone softening. "I think most people already know, Lucas. They just don't bring it up. As for Sarah… she's been through a lot since her breakup. She's probably too focused on herself to notice."
Lucas exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "So what do I do?"
Ava thought for a moment. "You need to tell her, but timing is everything. If you wait too long, you might lose your chance. But if you push too soon, it could backfire. Let her see how much you care—without pressuring her. That's when you'll know if she feels the same way."
Lucas said, "okay I will take it slow".
"Hey, you've got me now," Ava said, her tone light but reassuring. "I can help you figure it out. We'll take it step by step. No rushing, no forcing anything."
Lucas looked at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You'd really help me?"
"Absolutely," Ava said with a grin. "But first—how about we grab a coffee? A little caffeine might help us think this through."
Lucas chuckled, his mood lifting ever so slightly. "Alright. Coffee sounds good. Lead the way."
As John and Sophia finished their lunch, John gently reached for her hand. "Come with me," he said softly.
"Where are we going?" Sophia asked, puzzled.
"You'll see," he replied with a mysterious smile, leading her down the hallway.
When they stepped into the art room, Sophia gasped. The room was transformed. Hearts and roses adorned the walls, chocolates were artfully arranged on the tables, and at the center of it all stood a stunning bouquet of red roses.
Her voice trembled as she asked, "John… what is all this?"
John turned to her, his gaze tender and unwavering. "This," he said, gesturing to the room, "is my heart laid out for you. I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. Believe me, Sophia, I could fill this entire building with roses, but even that wouldn't compare to how much I love you."
Sophia's heart fluttered, her emotions a confusing tangle of surprise and uncertainty. "Are you serious?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"At this moment, Miss Sophia Hayes, I am the most serious I have ever been in my life," John replied. Dropping to one knee, he held her gaze, his expression filled with vulnerability. "Sophia, will you be my girlfriend? Will you give me the chance to love you the way you deserve? Loving you has become my passion, and I promise, I will love you until my last breath. I know you were embarrassed when I proposed to you in front of everyone, so I planned this, just for us. No one else—just you and me. Now… do you still need time?"
Sophia stood frozen, her mind racing. The sincerity in his eyes made her heart ache, but she wasn't ready to give him an answer. Taking a deep breath, she said, "John, these are two different things. Don't mix them. Yes, I appreciate everything you've done, and I respect your feelings. But… I still need time to figure out mine."
John's smile faltered for only a second before it returned, softer but no less sincere. "It's okay," he said gently. "Take all the time you need. I'll wait—happily."
Sophia tilted her head, her brows furrowing. "Why are you so confident about this?"
He chuckled, standing up and brushing off his knees. "Because you're thinking about it. That's the first step toward a yes. And I believe in us."
Sophia's cheeks flushed, but she didn't respond. As they left the art room, her thoughts lingered on the roses, the chocolates, and John's unwavering faith in her.
After university, everyone went home, but Sarah felt lonely. Even after dinner, the sadness didn't go away. She decided to visit her comfort place, hoping it would make her feel better.
Sitting there in the quiet, she let her thoughts wander. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. Startled, she turned to see someone she didn't expect.
"You? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.
The person smiled and said, "I could ask you the same."