After class ended. Nothing special. Nothing planned.
And yet—
It stayed with Liam longer than anything else that day.
"Liam." He turned around.
Mandy was standing by the door, holding a stack of papers.
"Can you help me bring these to the faculty room?" she asked.
"…Yeah, sure."
They walked side by side through the hallway.
Quiet. Too quiet.
Liam glanced at her. Up close, she looked the same as always calm, composed, gentle.
But now, there was no crowd. No classmates calling her name. Just the two of them.
"You're really reliable," Mandy said suddenly. Liam blinked. "Huh?"
"You always help when I ask," she continued. "I appreciate it." His chest tightened.
"It's nothing," he said, scratching the back of his head.
Mandy smiled. "Still… thank you." That smile again.
Simple. Soft. But for Liam.
It meant everything.