Chasing The One I Pushed Away

Chapter One: Just Another Morning It was Monday, and the students were already preparing for school. Some were still yawning in their uniforms, dragging their feet and mumbling about how the weekend ended too fast. Liam had already passed three streets just to get to Mila’s house — something he had done almost every school day for the past year. He didn’t knock loudly when he reached her gate. He just stood there, waiting, hands in his pockets. Mila opened the gate with one earpiece in and sleepy eyes. “You’re early,” she said, tying her shoelace lazily. “You’re always late,” he replied, his voice low but playful. She didn’t smile, but he noticed the corners of her lips twitch before she looked away, like always. They walked to school together, side by side, without saying much. Mila wasn’t the talkative type in the morning, and Liam never forced her to be. At school, the morning assembly was already scattering. Teachers called out instructions, students pretended to listen. It was the usual noise. Mila went straight to her class and dropped her bag on her seat, third row by the window. Liam dropped his bag on the chair behind hers. The usual spot. She didn’t turn to greet him, but he gave her a small tap on the shoulder. "Don’t sleep today," he said. "Mind your business," she muttered, flipping through her notes. First period came, then second. Mila didn’t say much and Liam didn’t disturb her more than once. He tapped her chair gently with his pen when she started zoning out during the Math lecture. “Stop it,” she whispered without turning. “You’re sleeping again.” “I’m not.” “You are.” She rolled her eyes but smiled a little to herself. Break time came. Mila stayed seated. She wasn’t in the mood to push through the crowd at the tuck shop. Her stomach wasn’t even growling yet. She rested her head on the desk and closed her eyes. A moment later, a drink bottle touched her arm. She opened one eye. Liam stood there, looking away like he hadn’t just offered her anything. “I didn’t ask for this,” she said. “You never do.” She took the drink. Didn’t thank him. He didn’t expect her to. Some of their classmates looked their way. One girl nudged another and whispered something. Mila heard her name and Liam’s, followed by a giggle. “They think we’re dating,” Mila said, staring straight ahead. “Let them think,” Liam said, already walking back to his seat. She stared at the bottle in her hand. After break, the day dragged, the teacher’s voice faded in and out. The ceiling fan made a clicking noise above her head. Liam tapped his foot behind her, always in rhythm,she didn’t turn, but it calmed her somehow. By the time school closed, the sun was beginning to turn orange. The usual crowd filled the corridor. Students shouted goodbyes, some already changing from their black shoes into slippers. Mila packed her bag slowly, waiting for Liam to stand behind her like he always did. He did. They left the class together, not talking much. But the silence was easy, familiar. As they reached her gate, she paused. “Thanks,” she said quietly. “For what?” “For... walking with me.” He smiled a little and handed her the bag she didn’t remember giving him. “See you tomorrow.” “Yeah.” She walked in and closed the gate behind her, leaning against it for a moment. She listened for his footsteps as he walked away. Every day was the same. And somehow, that comforted her.