Chapter 38: The Unexpected Apology
303 Words
It was supposed to be a regular school day — boring lessons, awkward silences, and stolen glances.
But as Maria stepped into the Literature class, the unexpected happened.
Daniel stood by her desk.
Not pacing.
Not glaring.
Just… standing.
“Can we talk?” he asked, voice calm but low enough only she could hear.
Maria froze. Every nerve in her body tensed, but her face stayed calm. She glanced around. Emeka looked up from the back, clearly alert. Everyone else seemed unaware.
“What is there to talk about?” she said quietly, placing her bag down.
Daniel didn’t budge. “Just five minutes. Outside.”
Her pride screamed no. Her heart whispered go.
She followed him anyway.
Outside, by the hallway where no one stood, Daniel leaned against the wall. “I’m not here to fight.”
Maria crossed her arms. “Then why are you here?”
His eyes met hers — tired, honest. “To say I’m sorry.”
Silence.
Not the sarcastic “sorry” he used to throw around.
This was… real.
“I was stupid,” he continued. “I messed up. Badly. And I know ‘sorry’ doesn’t fix things. But I needed to say it. For me. For you.”
Maria’s throat felt dry. She hadn’t expected this. Not like this.
“You hurt me,” she said, voice shaking slightly.
“I know. And I’d take it back if I could. But I can’t.”
He stepped back, giving her space. “You don’t have to forgive me. Just… know that I mean it.”
He turned and walked away.
Leaving Maria there, heart pounding, mind spinning.
For the first time…
Daniel didn’t look like the enemy.
He looked like the boy she used to know.
And that terrified her more than anything.
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