𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓻𝔂❤︎

Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Secrets in Shadows

The dawn of a new school day broke with an unexpected nervous energy swirling through the halls. As students flooded through the entrance, chatter echoed off the walls, but all Mr. Le could focus on was the spot where Y/N usually waited for him between classes—a hidden alcove just down the corridor. He could still feel the warmth of her lips against his from their last encounter, and the memory both thrilled and terrified him.

But as the day wore on, Mr. Le couldn’t shake the unease settling in his gut. Y/N had been absent from class for a couple of days, and even though they’d taken a step together that felt monumental, the reality of their situation loomed over him like a dark cloud. He had almost convinced himself that she would come back, that they would navigate this new territory together, but damn it, he hadn’t prepared for her being gone.

The bell rang, signaling the end of first period, and he made his way toward the alcove, his heartbeat echoing in his ears. Just as he approached, he noticed a familiar face lingering there—Eliana, Y/N’s best friend, who seemed far too cheerful for the circumstances.

“Mr. Le! Hey!” she called, flashing him a grin that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Hey, Eliana… where’s Y/N?” he asked, carefully controlling the edge of desperation in his voice.

Eliana’s smile faltered but quickly replaced itself with a plausible shrug. “Not sure, actually. Last I heard, she needed some time away from school. You know how it gets, right? Sometimes a break is just what you need.”

He nodded, but the apprehension deepened. “Right. Well, let her know I’m thinking of her.” He turned away, the knot tightening in his chest. Y/N needed time? Or was it a cover for something deeper?

Days passed, but his worry only compounded. Then, out of nowhere, he received a text from an unknown number. The message was simple, yet his heart raced as he read it: “See you at lunch? Need to talk. -Y/N”

He barely managed to focus during his next class, his mind racing with possibilities. What did she want to say?

Lunchtime arrived, and he arrived early, pacing in the cafeteria, scanning for her familiar silhouette. It felt as if the walls were closing in around him, each tick of the clock making him more anxious. Finally, he spotted her at a table near the corner, her back turned.

Mr. Le approached cautiously, breaking past the sea of students filling the room. “Y/N,” he said, his voice barely a whisper as he tapped her shoulder. She turned, and his breath caught in his throat.

She looked different—her hair was pulled back, a casual look that didn’t disguise the spark in her eyes. She greeted him with a smile that seemed warm on the surface yet elusive beneath.

"Hey, Mr. Le," she said, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

"Hey." He took a seat across from her, his heart racing as he fought to gauge her mood. "You’ve been gone. I was getting worried."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I needed some time—" she paused, glancing around as if ensuring no one could overhear. "I wanted to sort things out. You know how complicated things can get."

He felt a wave of irritation ripple through him, sharp and unwelcome. "Sort what out? We’re in this together, remember?"

Her gaze slipped away momentarily, almost guilty. "I know, but…" She hesitated again, biting her lip. "It’s not that simple. I’m trying to think about where we stand."

Suddenly, a voice erupted from behind them, slicing through the tension like a knife. “Y/N! There you are!” A boy, tall with tousled hair and an easy grin, slid into the seat beside her, throwing an arm casually around her shoulders.