He found her later that day.
Of course he did.
Amara sat in her usual spot, away from the noise, her focus on the book in front of her.
But she wasn't really reading.
She felt him before she saw him.
"Amara."
Her name.
The same voice.
The same effect.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
Slowly, she looked up.
"You always find me," she said.
Kieran gave a small smile.
"You always sit in the same places."
Silence.
But this silence?
It wasn't comfortable.
It wasn't familiar.
It was tense.
"You left," she said simply.
Straight to the point.
Kieran nodded.
"I know."
"And now you're back."
"Yeah."
Another pause.
Amara looked at him carefully.
"Why?"
That question again.
But this time…
He didn't hesitate.
"Because I couldn't stay away."
Her heart reacted instantly.
But she controlled it.
"That's not a good reason," she said.
"It's the truth."
She stood up.
"Truth doesn't change what happened."
Kieran stepped closer.
"I'm not trying to change it."
"Then what are you trying to do?"
He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
No pretending.
No distance.
"I'm trying to start again."
Her chest tightened.
Because once…
That's all she wanted.
But now?
She didn't know.
"People don't restart like nothing happened," she said softly.
"I know."
"Then why now?"
Kieran's voice dropped.
"Because losing you once…"
He paused.
"…was enough."
Silence.
That sentence hit deeper than she expected.
Because it sounded real.
And that was dangerous.
Amara took a step back.
"I'm not the same person you left," she said.
"I know," he replied.
"And I'm not going to be that girl again."
"I'm not asking you to be."
She studied him.
Then asked quietly,
"Then what are you asking for?"
Kieran held her gaze.
"A chance."
Her heart wavered.
Just slightly.
But this time…
She didn't fall.
Not yet.