Growing Closer
The next day, Alex joined us in the canteen. I hadn't expected it, but Lia, always more social than me, invited him to sit with us. He smiled at me as he sat down. "Flora, that's a beautiful name," he said, his gaze warm.
I blushed, unsure of how to respond.
Lia, sensing the tension, suddenly got up. "I have to go for a bit. You two talk, okay?" she said, leaving us alone.
Alex turned to me again. "I know I might seem persistent, but I really want to be friends. So… what do you say, Flora?"
I hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay, we can be friends."
His face lit up with excitement. "Great! I'll wait for you after school, then," he said as Lia returned.
True to his word, Alex was waiting for me after school. I was surprised to see him standing there, smiling as I walked out with Lia.
"Hey, Flora. Can we walk home together?" he asked, looking at me expectantly.
Lia shot me a surprised look. "You didn't tell me about this," she whispered, nudging me.
"I didn't know he'd be waiting," I whispered back, feeling flustered.
Lia grinned and, after a moment, said, "I've got some things to take care of. You guys go ahead." She winked at me before walking off, leaving me alone with Alex.
As we walked home together, I realized we lived in the same direction. He talked a lot, filling the silence with stories about himself, his family, and his interests. I didn't say much—after all, I was never one for small talk—but Alex didn't seem to mind. He seemed content just to have someone listen.
"Why don't you talk much?" he asked at one point, his voice curious but not pushy.
"I've always been like this," I replied softly. "I don't like talking much."
He smiled, unfazed. "That's okay. I like talking, so it balances out."
When we finally reached my house, he waved goodbye and walked off. I found myself thinking about him more than I expected. I had never been close to a boy before—Alex was the first.
---
Present Day: The Distance Between Us
The car came to a slow stop as we arrived home. Steven glanced at me again through the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with concern.
I didn't say anything as I climbed out of the car and walked into the house. My thoughts were still swirling around Alex, the boy who had once been so eager to be part of my life but who now felt so distant.
He hadn't always been like this—ignoring my texts, making promises he couldn't keep. A year ago, he would have never left me waiting outside the school for hours. But now… now it felt like he was slipping away, bit by bit.
As I lay on my bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't help but wonder if things between us would ever go back to the way they used to be—or if I was losing Alex for good.
Flora's POV:
The next morning, I was jolted awake by the sound of my mom's voice, sharp and impatient.
"Flora, wake up! You're going to be late!" she shouted from the door, hands on her hips as she always did when she meant business.
Groaning, I buried my face into my pillow. "Mom, I don't want to go today. I didn't sleep well last night." My voice was muffled and whiny, knowing it wouldn't do much to change her mind.
"And why didn't you sleep?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as she stepped closer to my bed.
At her question, I felt my face grow warm. I couldn't help it. Thoughts of Alex had kept me awake long into the night. Every time I tried to sleep, his face popped into my mind, his smile, the way he looked at me, and I found myself grinning like a fool. He was my first guy friend, and I wasn't used to this strange, giddy feeling.
Mom gave me a knowing look, snapping me out of my thoughts. "So, are you staying home or going to school today?"
I hadn't planned on going, honestly. But then, just as quickly as I'd decided to stay in bed, Alex's face came back to me. What if I saw him at school? What if he smiled at me again, or walked me home like he did yesterday? I couldn't miss that.
"No, I'll go. I'm getting up now," I said, jumping out of bed before I could change my mind.
Mom smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Now hurry up and come down for breakfast. You're already late."
After a quick shower and throwing on my uniform, I rushed downstairs, my heart racing—not from the hurry, but from the thought of seeing Alex today. I felt butterflies in my stomach.
When I sat down at the dining table, Dad looked up from his newspaper, smiling. "What's going on with you today, Flora? You seem...extra happy."
I blushed, unable to control it. Did I really look that happy? I tried to act casual, but it wasn't working. "I'm not happy, Dad. Just...normal."
Dad chuckled, clearly unconvinced. "There's a glow in your face, you know. I've seen it before, whenever you're happy about something."
I just laughed awkwardly and focused on my breakfast. I didn't want to explain why I was glowing. I barely understood it myself.
After I finished eating, I rushed outside, finding Uncle Steven already waiting with the car. He opened the door for me, as he always did. "Good morning, Miss. Ready for school?"
"Good morning, Uncle Steven," I smiled as I slid into the car, but before he could start driving, I heard my mom's voice behind me.
"Flora! You forgot your tiffin!" she called, waving the lunchbox.
I hopped out of the car and ran to grab it from her. "Thanks, Mom. I totally forgot." I gave her a quick hug before hurrying back into the car.
As we drove toward school, something caught my eye at the front gate. I saw Alex standing there, looking as if he had been waiting for someone—waiting for me. My heart skipped a beat. Why was he here so early?