Melted by you.

CHAPTER 7: After School Plans

The final bell rang louder than usual.

Or maybe it just felt louder.

Hardin Smith stood from his seat slowly, watching students rush out of the classroom like the day had been something they were trying to escape.

He did not rush.

He never did.

“You are coming or you are staying again?” Alexander asked, slinging his bag over one shoulder.

“I am leaving,” Hardin replied.

Alexander smiled slightly. “You always say that like it is a decision.”

Hardin ignored him and walked out.

Outside the classroom, the hallway was crowded.

Students grouped together, talking about everything and nothing at the same time.

Hardin moved through them quietly.

His eyes caught something briefly.

Anna Fred standing with Rose Williams near the end of the corridor.

Talking.

Smiling lightly.

It was small.

But different from how she usually looked alone.

He slowed for a second.

Then continued walking.

“Anna, you are really quiet in class,” Rose said as they walked.

Anna adjusted her bag slightly. “I am not used to talking much.”

Rose smiled. “You will get used to me.”

Anna gave a small, uncertain smile.

“Where are we going?” she asked again.

Rose turned slightly. “Somewhere you will like.”

Anna did not press further.

At the school gate, luxury cars lined up as usual.

Students entered different vehicles, voices fading one by one.

Alexander leaned against his car waiting.

Then he saw Hardin.

“You are staring again,” Alexander said casually.

Hardin looked away. “No.”

Alexander followed his gaze anyway.

Rose and Anna were still walking together.

“Ah,” Alexander said slowly. “That explains it.”

Hardin did not respond.

His car arrived.

He got in.

The door closed.

Across the street, Anna stopped briefly.

A modest car was waiting.

She turned to Rose. “I should go.”

Rose nodded. “Tomorrow, same time.”

Anna smiled slightly. “Okay.”

She got in.

The car moved away.

At home, Hardin entered the house without speaking.

The usual silence welcomed him.

Perfect.

Clean.

Empty.

He dropped his bag and walked to his room.

But he did not sit immediately.

He stood by the window instead.

Looking out.

The city was bright.

Busy.

Distant.

Yet none of it held his attention for long.

His mind kept returning to a simple image.

Anna walking beside Rose.

Laughing softly.

Not alone.

Meanwhile, Anna sat in her room.

Her house was calm.

Warm.

Normal.

Rose’s voice still echoed in her thoughts.

“Somewhere you will like.”

She wasn’t sure why she agreed.

But she had.

The next day arrived quickly.

School felt the same.

But people didn’t.

“Today after school, you are coming with me,” Rose said immediately when she saw Anna.

Anna blinked. “Again?”

Rose nodded. “Yes.”

Anna hesitated.

Then nodded.

“Okay.”

From a distance, Lizzy watched.

Minah stood beside her.

“She is getting close to Rose,” Minah said.

Lizzy’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“And close to him too,” she added.

Minah looked confused. “Hardin?”

Lizzy did not answer immediately.

Her gaze stayed on Anna.

Then shifted to Hardin, who was sitting quietly by the window again.

Something about it bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

Emily sat nearby, silent as always.

But her eyes followed Hardin longer than necessary.

Then quickly looked away when Lizzy moved.

She said nothing.

But she noticed everything.

Later that day, classes ended again.

But this time, Rose did not wait.

She grabbed Anna’s hand lightly. “Come.”

Anna followed.

Hardin noticed.

Just for a moment.

Then stood up.

Alexander appeared beside him. “You are going to pretend you do not care again?”

Hardin looked at him.

“I am not pretending.”

Alexander smiled. “That is worse.”

Outside, Rose led Anna toward a different direction from the usual gate.

Anna glanced around. “Where are we going really?”

Rose turned slightly, smiling.

“You will see.”

And somewhere behind them, unseen by both of them…

Hardin watched again.

This time longer.

And this time…

he did not look away immediately.