RIIZE | Tuesdays with You 《Anton》Completed✔

Chapter 9: Reaching You

It was their fifth Tuesday together, and Lola had been missing Anton more than she wanted to admit. The days felt emptier without him, and even though she tried to keep herself busy, he was always on her mind.

When she stepped out of her house that morning, her eyes widened in surprise. There, leaning casually against the front gate, was Anton. He looked normal—almost too normal, as if nothing had changed. The crisp school uniform he wore was what threw her off the most.

"Anton?" she called, disbelief heavy in her voice as she approached him. "What... why are you wearing that?"

Anton smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Surprise! I'm spending the day with you at school."

Lola blinked, processing what he just said. "But how? You're not a student there. Is this even allowed?"

"Turns out my parents have a bit of influence," Anton said with a shrug, a touch of pride in his voice. "They pulled a few strings with the school director. I got permission, as long as I don't cause any trouble. And yes, I'll actually be attending classes with you."

Lola was speechless. Her mind was swimming with a mix of emotions—concern, excitement, and disbelief. She wanted to ask if he was feeling okay if this was a good idea, but she found herself just staring at him. For a moment, she let herself absorb the sight of him standing there, looking as if they were about to spend an ordinary day together like nothing had changed between them. She scanned his face, every feature familiar but somehow precious in that moment.

Without a word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. She had missed him—his presence, his warmth, the way he made everything feel right, even when it wasn't.

Anton chuckled softly, resting his chin on her head. "You missed me, huh?"

Lola didn't say anything. She just buried her face deeper into his chest, trying to hold onto the moment for as long as she could.

"Come on," Anton said, gently pulling back and nudging her playfully. "We're going to be late for class."

She blinked up at him, smiling through the small knot of anxiety that was starting to build inside her. But she nodded. "Right. Let's go."

As they began walking toward the school, Anton kept up his usual lighthearted conversation, asking about her friends, joking about how he would try not to embarrass her in front of everyone. Lola laughed along, but there was a part of her that couldn't shake the feeling that this day was special, more special than any of their previous Tuesdays together. And deep down, she was determined to make the most of it.

As they walked side by side, the early morning air still crisp with the promise of the day ahead, Lola glanced at Anton, her curiosity finally getting the best of her.

"So... how was the doctor's appointment?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of worry.

Anton's eyes flickered for a second before he flashed her his usual reassuring smile. "It went well," he replied smoothly, his tone calm and casual. "Nothing too exciting to report."

But deep inside, Anton knew he was lying. The truth was, his body had been rejecting the treatments more and more lately. The last session had been harder than any before, and he could feel his strength fading, piece by piece. Every step, every breath, was a reminder that time was slipping away from him faster than he wanted to admit. But there was no way he was going to let Lola carry that burden. Not today.

"Good," Lola said, nodding, though she still eyed him with suspicion, as if she could sense there was more he wasn't saying. But she didn't push him. Instead, she offered him a smile, one that felt like sunshine on a cloudy day.