Monday morning had arrived faster than Bella had imagined. She stood at the bus stop, gazing at the familiar streets with a pang in her heart. Every detail seemed more vivid, more precious, as if her mind was trying to imprint these images one last time before she turned the page.
A breeze lifted a strand of her hair, and she sighed quietly, lost in thought. But a familiar voice pulled her out of her reverie.
— "Hey, Bella."
She startled slightly before turning to Caden, who had just arrived by her side. He looked at her with his usual smile, but his expression quickly changed when he noticed her pensive look.
— "Are you okay?"
Bella immediately straightened her shoulders and forced a smile.
— "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired," she lied.
Caden studied her for a moment, as if trying to figure out what she wasn't saying. But before he could ask any more questions, the bus arrived with a screech of tires.
They got on and sat down next to each other. Caden couldn't help but glance at Bella. Something was wrong. She was quieter than usual, and her gaze seemed distant.
When they arrived in front of the school, Bella slowed her pace before turning to him.
— "Go on without me, I have some things to take care of."
Caden frowned.
— "Are you sure?"
— "Yes, don't worry," she replied with a soft but fake smile.
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
— "Alright… See you later, then."
He gave her one last look before walking away, but his heart told him something was off.
Throughout the classes, he couldn't concentrate. Bella hadn't returned to class, and that worried him more and more. When someone entered the room to announce that Bella wouldn't be coming back because she was moving away, Caden felt his heart skip a beat.
— "What?" he murmured, stunned.
The rest of the lesson passed in a blur. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Bella was leaving… without telling him.
---
Meanwhile, Bella had arrived at her workplace. She approached her boss and handed him her resignation, making up an excuse about an opportunity elsewhere. The man raised an eyebrow but didn't insist.
— "That's a shame, Bella. You did a great job here, but I wish you the best."
— "Thank you," she replied with a sad smile.
She left the restaurant and took a deep breath as she stepped through the door. But as she lifted her head, her breath caught.
Caden was there.
He was waiting for her in front of the entrance, arms crossed, his gaze serious.
— "So, it's true? You're leaving?" he asked in a calm voice, but with restrained emotion.
Bella felt her heart clench. She hadn't expected him to find her so quickly.
— "Caden…"
— "Why didn't you tell me?"
Silence settled between them, heavy and tense. Bella looked away, unable to meet Caden's gaze as he desperately searched for answers.