Worn out from a never-ending day of meetings and preparations, Emma finally staggered back home. The burdensome role of class president weighed on her, but she found comfort in the competence of her fellow team members: Amelia, Rosalind, and Henry.
There was, however, one perpetual underachiever — Theodore. Emma decided it was best to mentally shove him into the "Don't Care" box and concentrate on those who could be counted on.
As she began to organize her bag, Emma felt a playful nudge on her arm, causing her to look up. Amelia wore a mischievous smile as she whispered, "Hey, someone's waiting for you!"
Emma's curiosity instantly piqued, and she followed Amelia's gaze to the classroom entrance. Her eyes widened when she spotted Bright standing there, his posture casual as he leaned against the wall. Surprise and confusion filled her mind.
What could he possibly want at this hour?
Amelia leaned closer and continued to whisper, "Yesterday, during the entrance ceremony for new students, you both arrived at school with just one umbrella. And then when you were called to the podium, you held hands. You guys seem to have a special relationship, huh?" Her curiosity was palpable as she observed Emma's reaction.
Emma's heart decided to throw a little dance party inside her chest as Amelia brought up those entrance ceremony moments.
Her cheeks flushed with all the subtlety of a neon sign in the night. The memory of sharing an umbrella and that hand-holding episode had now decided to play on the big screen in her brain theater.
She hadn't given much thought to those fleeting moments, but leave it to Amelia to turn on the spotlight and make her ponder.
Could it be there was something more going on between her and Bright?
Was there a secret rom-com script being written without her knowledge?
As Emma glanced back at Bright, leaning all casually by the entrance, she couldn't help but wonder if their story had a few unexpected plot twists up its sleeve.
"Go ahead!" Amelia, the ever-playful instigator, winked mischievously and urged Emma on with a nudge, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
With Amelia's encouragement lingering in the air, Emma summoned her courage and began the walk toward Bright.
As she approached him, she couldn't help but notice the warm exchange between Amelia and Bright as they crossed paths. It was a subtle but telling interaction, hinting at Bright's amiable nature.
Bright, who had been waiting by the classroom entrance, handed her a paper bag adorned with a prestigious brand logo.
Emma's curiosity surged as she received the elegant package, a mix of surprise and wonder swirling within her.
"What's this?" Emma inquired, her gaze locked on the paper bag in Bright's hand.
A soft smile graced Bright's face, a faint touch of apology in his eyes. "It's a replacement shawl for the one you lost yesterday. I couldn't find the exact same one, so I hope this will suffice." He presented the bag to Emma.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Emma peered inside and gasped softly as she withdrew a shawl with an intricate design.
The price tag had been carefully removed, but its evident quality and craftsmanship were unmistakable.
Emma's mind raced, torn between the thoughtfulness of the gesture and the implications of accepting such a lavish gift.
"I already told you, you don't need to replace the lost shawl," Emma insisted, her voice a blend of gratitude and concern. She carefully returned the shawl to the bag and extended it back to Bright.
But Bright shook his head gently, determination gleaming in his eyes. "It was my fault that your shawl went missing. I want to make things right."
Emma's frustration grew, and she struggled with her conflicting emotions. "I can't accept something this valuable. It's too much."
Bright's gaze softened, and he reached for the bag. "It's not as expensive as you might think, Emma. Please, consider it a genuine gesture to make amends."
Emma let out a sigh of exasperation, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. "For me, this is still a very costly item," she emphasized.
"And besides, it was hard for me to buy it. Besides, who else will wear it?"
"Okay, then give it to your girlfriend or your sister!" Emma retorted.
"I don't have a girlfriend, and I'm an only child."
"Well, you can give it to your mom. I'm sure she'd love wearing it. It's a beautiful shawl."
"I don't have a mom," Bright replied quietly, his gaze fixed on the floor, his vulnerability laid bare.
In that moment, Bright appeared almost childlike in his demeanor, and Emma's heart sank, realizing that her initial refusal might have been harsh and unfair.
She softened her tone, her empathy palpable as she spoke to Bright. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea."
Bright glanced up briefly, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes, before he let out a sigh. He mustered a smile, though it faltered, and his lips twitched uneasily.
"My mother passed away during childbirth," he revealed, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I apologize if I seemed pushy, Emma. I don't have any significant women in my life, so I was confused. I thought it might go to waste if you refused it, but I shouldn't have pressured you like that. I'm sorry."
"Oh!" Emma suddenly felt like a terrible person, unaware of the underlying emotions Bright might be carrying.
A strong urge welled up within her to keep the bag Bright had given her in her hands. He looked at her with a puzzled expression, uncertain of her change of heart.
Emma locked her gaze with his, resolute in conveying her decision. "I've reconsidered. I'll accept it!" Her heart raced, anticipation hanging in the air.
Bright's hand gently rested on the back of hers, their eyes locked in a silent exchange, searching for the unspoken emotions.
"You went through the trouble of buying it, so I'll wear it. Thank you," Emma declared, sealing her decision with a firm stamp of her hand.
Bright's broad smile enveloped his face. "Wear it on art night, okay?"
Emma remained silent, her thoughts swirling in her mind.
As Bright turned to leave, a sudden pause halted his steps. He glanced back at Emma and spoke again, "I heard you were elected class president, right?"
Emma nodded in confirmation.
"You're great," he complimented, offering a thumbs-up before finally departing.
"You're great," Emma echoed softly to herself. It may have been a simple statement, but to her, it held profound significance.
For the first time in her life, someone had acknowledged her hard work and achievements, providing a glimmer of validation she had long yearned for.
***