The Love We Left Behind

The Suspense

The next day, the sun barely peeled through the hazy morning sky, casting a soft, golden glow over the school compound. Students flooded the grounds, their chatter mingling with the occasional whistle from a teacher, the rustle of backpacks, and the rhythmic thump of sneakers on concrete. Among them, Bethany stood at the school entrance, her sneakers planted firmly on the cracked pavement, hands gripping her bag straps as she scanned the parking lot for any sign of Evan. Her heart thudded in anticipation, her fingers twitching slightly as if they knew something exciting was about to happen.

A few minutes later, a sleek black sedan rolled into the lot, Evan’s mom at the wheel, offering a polite wave to a passing teacher. Evan stepped out with effortless composure, his uniform crisp, his school bag slung casually over one shoulder. He scanned the entrance, his eyes immediately locking on Bethany. A small grin spread across his face, the kind that made Bethany’s stomach flutter in ways she couldn’t quite explain.

Without thinking, she called out louder than she intended:

Bethany: “Evan!!!”

The sound of her voice echoed across the entrance, drawing a few curious glances from students and teachers alike. Heads turned, whispers rose, and a couple of teachers arched their eyebrows. Evan spun around, caught off guard, and then laughed—a short, surprised chuckle that made Bethany’s heart skip even faster. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he waved.

Evan: “Good morning, Martins!”

Bethany’s cheeks flushed crimson as she muttered back, lowering her gaze.

Bethany: “Morning, Van.”

She could feel her heart racing as they walked side by side toward the hallway. Every step felt like it carried a secret energy, a lightness that seemed to hum between them. The corridor buzzed with lockers slamming, distant footsteps, and the soft hum of morning announcements. Yet, Bethany felt as though the world had narrowed to the space she shared with Evan.

Once inside the classroom, lessons began, but neither could fully focus. Their eyes met in fleeting glances, each moment sparking a quiet thrill. Bethany’s pencil hovered over her notebook more times than she could count, only to scribble something unrelated. Evan, meanwhile, stared out the window more than he looked at the teacher, but whenever he did catch her gaze, a soft, knowing smile flickered before they quickly looked away. Ava, sitting two rows over, watched the subtle dance between them with amusement, already sensing the tension crackling like static in the air.

Finally, the bell rang for break. Ava swooped in, practically dragging Bethany out of the classroom with a grin that spelled mischief.

Ava: “Are you guys dating now?”

Bethany: “No, Av!” she answered, flustered.

Ava: “Then what’s going on? I saw you can’t stop looking at each other!”

Bethany: “Evan confessed… he said he likes me.”

Ava’s eyes lit up, dancing with excitement.

Ava: “Told you, ‘Mr. Snob’ likes you. So what did you say?”

Bethany: “I told him how I feel too, and we… uhmm.”

Ava: “Uhmm what?”

Bethany: “We kissed!” she whispered, trying to contain her excitement.

Ava: “What?!” Ava’s voice pitched higher than she expected, and Bethany quickly clapped a hand over her mouth.

Bethany: “Shh… it just happened. I’m not regretting it, but he didn’t ask me to be his girlfriend yet. Is that okay?”

Ava: “It’s not okay! He has to ask properly.”

Bethany: “How do I go about it?”

Ava: “You don’t have to do anything. Let the man do his thing. Just say yes.”

Bethany: “What if he never asks?”

Ava: “Then you walk away. Some guys feel things but don’t want a label.”

Bethany: “Really? After a kiss?”

Ava: “Maybe he’s unsure. But if he wants you, he’ll ask.”

Ava glanced at Bethany’s phone, tapping rapidly.

Ava: “Look, he texted you.”

Bethany pulled her phone out, eyes widening at the new message.

Message: Evan: “Meet me at the basketball court after break.”

Ava: “Maybe he wants to ask you out?”

Bethany’s voice trembled, her stomach twisting.

Bethany: “I don’t know, Av… I’m freaking out. What if he’s just playing?”

Ava: “Girl, calm down. He texted you to meet at the court, right? That’s a good sign. He wouldn’t waste his break for nothing.”

Bethany: “But what if he’s just gonna say ‘hey, wanna hang out’? I don’t want to be just a sidekick.”

Ava: “Beth, listen. If he wanted you just as a buddy, he would’ve invited you to the game earlier. He’s trying to talk to you alone, that’s a vibe. Trust the process.”

Bethany: “I’m trying, but my heart is racing like crazy. My hands are literally shaking.”

Ava grabbed Bethany’s shoulders gently, forcing her to inhale and exhale slowly.

Ava: “Okay, deep breath. Inhale… exhale. You look amazing, by the way. That sweater makes your eyes pop.”

Bethany laughed nervously, the tension easing slightly.

Bethany: “Thanks, Av. I’m wearing it because you got it for me.”

Ava: “Exactly. And you know I have a good eye for these things. Plus, you’ve got the whole ‘just‑kissed‑and‑still‑floating’ glow. He’ll notice.”

Bethany: “What if he says something weird? Like, ‘I just wanted to tell you I’m moving school’?”

Ava: “Then you’ll be like, ‘cool, good luck,’ and we’ll still have drama to talk about. But I doubt that. He’s been nervous too, remember?”

Bethany: “True… he was stuttering before the bell rang.”

Ava: “See? He’s feeling it. Just go, talk, and if it’s a ‘let’s be friends,’ you’ll survive. If it’s something more… you’ll be happy. Either way, you’ve got me.”

Bethany took a deep breath, feeling her heartbeat slowly settle.

Bethany: “Alright. I’m gonna go. Wish me luck.”

Ava: “Break a leg—not literally, though. Go get that boy, Beth!”

Bethany nodded, wiping her palms on her jeans, and started walking toward the basketball court. Her steps were brisk, yet her heart buzzed like a live wire in her chest.

Ava: “And hey—if he says anything stupid, just text me. I’ll be right here with the snacks.”

Bethany glanced back with a half-smile.

Bethany: “Thanks, Av. You’re the best.”

The court was alive with the squeak of shoes, the thud of basketballs, and shouts of players. Bethany’s pulse quickened as she scanned the scene, searching for Evan. He was mid-dribble, moving with a grace that made it look effortless. When he noticed her, he tossed the ball to a teammate and jogged over, waving with a grin that lit up his face.

Evan: “Didn’t see you at dinner. Where have you been?”

Bethany: “I was with Ava.”

Evan: “Oh, have you had lunch?”

Bethany: “Yeah, ate with Ava,” she lied lightly to keep things simple.

Evan’s smile softened as he nodded.

Evan: “Okay, wait for me here. I need to change into my uniform.”

He dashed to the locker room, returning moments later in crisp white shirt and navy trousers. His expression was a mix of excitement and hesitation, and Bethany couldn’t help but mirror the same mixture of feelings herself.

Evan: “Uhmm, I…”

The sharp ring of the bell cut him off, a harsh reminder that break was over.

Evan: “Let’s go back to class. Break’s over.”

Bethany tilted her head, curiosity piqued.

Bethany: “You were about to say something. What’s that?”

Evan: “I’ll tell you later, after school.”

Bethany: “Okay,” she said, letting out a reluctant sigh.

Back in class, Ava leaned over, whispering with barely contained excitement.

Ava: “What happened? He didn’t ask?”

Bethany: “He said after school.”

Ava: “Okay, there’s still time.”

The rest of the day passed slowly. Bethany’s mind wandered, replaying every word and glance from the movie date and break. Her fingers itched for her phone, and her stomach flipped every time the thought of Evan surfaced.

Finally, school emptied out, leaving only a few stragglers. Bethany lingered at the entrance, eyes scanning the hallways. Moments later, Evan appeared, his bag swinging lightly at his side.

Evan: “Hey, Martins.”

Bethany: “So, school’s over. What were you going to say earlier?”

Evan’s gaze drifted to the gate for a second, then returned to her.

Evan: “I wanted to ask if you’re free after school.”

Bethany: “Yeah, I’m free. Anything?”

Evan: “I’m going to send you an address. I have something to tell you. Can you come?”

Bethany: “Okay, I will.”

He smiled, genuine and lingering.

Evan: “Okay, see you soon?”

Bethany: “Yeah.”

Evan: “Sorry, I have to go now.”

Bethany watched him leave, her heart thumping. She clutched her phone tightly as she imagined what Evan might want to tell her. The possibilities raced through her mind— maybe a plan, maybe… something completely unexpected.

As the bus rumbled through the bustling streets, neon signs flickering past, Bethany felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Her heart hummed in rhythm with her thoughts, echoing Ava’s advice: “Let the man do his thing.”

What could he possibly want to tell her?