My Last And My Only

Chapter 92: Old Friends

Khae's phone buzzed while she was halfway through a quiet afternoon at home.

She glanced at the screen, expecting a class reminder or a message from one of her councilmates.

Instead, it was Amanda.

Hi. Are you free sometime? Could we meet?

Khae stared at the message for a long moment.

She read it once.

Then again.

And again.

Her thumb hovered over the keyboard, but nothing came out.

What was she supposed to say?

Yes?

Why?

No?

That felt worse.

She locked the phone, then unlocked it again, as if the answer might appear if she looked hard enough.

It didn't.

Aiah noticed the silence before she noticed the expression on Khae's face. She was sitting across Khae. They're waiting for Marcus.

"What is it?"

Khae turned the phone toward her without a word.

Aiah took it, read the message, and her brows drew together slightly.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Khae watched her carefully.

"I don't know what to reply," Khae admitted.

Aiah handed the phone back, thoughtful.

"You don't have to reply right away."

"I know."

"But?"

Khae exhaled.

"But I don't know what she wants."

Aiah leaned back, considering that.

At first, there was hesitation in her eyes.

Not because she didn't trust Khae.

Because she did.

And maybe that was exactly why she hesitated.

Amanda was part of a past that had once mattered deeply, and some doors, once opened, never quite looked the same again.

"Do you want to meet her?" Aiah asked quietly.

Khae looked down at the phone.

"I don't know."

"That's not a no."

Khae gave a small, helpless laugh.

"It's also not a yes."

Aiah was silent for a moment longer.

Then she reached over and touched Khae's hand lightly.

"If you think you need to meet her, then meet her."

Khae looked up.

Aiah met her gaze, steady now.

"I trust you."

The words settled between them with surprising weight.

Khae's shoulders loosened a little.

"You do?"