Night had fully fallen over the school. The festival was at its peak. Lights glowed brighter.
Music grew louder. Laughter echoed across every corner of the campus... Students walked in groups, carrying food, prizes, and memories they would talk about long after tonight ended.
But for Liam. None of that mattered anymore. He stood near the courtyard, under a row of hanging lights.
Waiting. His hands felt cold. Even though the night wasn't. "…Calm down," he whispered to himself.
He had imagined this moment so many times. Different versions. Different outcomes. But now that it was real. None of those imagined scenarios helped.
Because this… This was different. This was real. "You're still here."
Liam turned. Mandy stood a few steps away from him. The festival lights reflected softly in her eyes.
Her hair moved gently with the night breeze. "…Yeah," Liam said quietly. "I was waiting."
She smiled a little. "Sorry, it took longer than I thought." "It's fine." There was a small silence between them.
Not awkward. Just… quiet. "So," Mandy said, tilting her head slightly. "What did you want to talk about?"
Liam's chest tightened. This was it. No more delays. No more excuses. He looked at her. Really looked at her.
The girl he had liked for so long. The girl he had watched from a distance. The girl who never knew how much she meant to him.
His grip tightened around the small paper bag in his hand. "…Mandy," he started. His voice almost failed him. But he continued. "I've been meaning to tell you something."
Her expression softened. She listened. Always kind. Always patient. "…For a while now," he said slowly, "I've been watching you."
He gave a small, awkward laugh. "That sounds weird, I know." Mandy smiled faintly. "But go on." Liam took a deep breath.
"You're always helping everyone." "You're always smiling." "And somehow… you make everything feel lighter."
He paused. His heart pounded loudly in his chest. "I don't know exactly when it started," he continued,
"But… I realized it one day." "That I was looking for you without noticing."
Mandy's eyes widened slightly. "And when you talk to me," Liam said, "Even if it's something small…" "It stays with me."
Silence. The noise of the festival felt distant now. It was just the two of them. "…So," Liam said softly,
"I like you." The words finally came out. Simple, direct, real.
His chest felt lighter. And heavier at the same time. "I really like you." Mandy didn't speak right away. Her expression changed. Not shocked. Not upset.
Just… serious. "…Liam," she said quietly. There was something in her voice. Something different.
"I'm really glad you told me." His heart tightened slightly.
That tone. "But…" There it was. Liam smiled faintly. He already understood.
"I'm sorry," Mandy continued. "I don't feel the same way." The words were gentle.
Careful. But they still landed heavily. "…I see," Liam replied. His voice stayed calm.
Steady. Stronger than he expected. "I didn't want to ignore your feelings," Mandy said. "That wouldn't be fair to you."
Liam nodded slowly. "…Thank you," he said.
For a moment. Neither of them spoke. Then Liam remembered something.
"Oh, right," he said, holding out the small paper bag. "I got this earlier."
Mandy looked surprised. "For me?" "Yeah." She hesitated. "…Are you sure?"
Liam smiled a little. "Yeah. It's fine." Slowly, she took it. "…Thank you," she said softly.
Another silence. This one felt different. Like the end of something.
"…I should go back," Mandy said. "They might need help." "Yeah," Liam replied. She gave him one last look.
"…Liam." "Yeah?" "…You'll be okay, right?" He smiled. "…Yeah."
A simple lie. Mandy nodded slightly. Then turned. And walked away. The lights followed her figure until she disappeared into the crowd.
Liam stood there. Alone. The noise of the festival returned all at once. Laughter, music, voices.
Everything continued like nothing had happened. "…So this is how it ends," he whispered.
He looked up at the glowing lights above him. Beautiful.
Bright. But somehow. They felt distant now. Liam let out a small breath.
At least now… He had his answer. And even if it hurt. He wouldn't regret it.
Because this time. He didn't run away. He faced it. And that… Was enough.