The Love We Left Behind

When Friendship Hits a Bump

The next day at school, Evan arrived early but didn’t wait for Bethany at the entrance as he usually did. The hallway buzzed with the morning rush—lockers slammed, teachers called attendance, and the faint aroma of coffee drifted from the staff lounge. Students jostled past him, chattering in small groups, but Evan’s mind was elsewhere. His eyes scanned the sea of faces for a glimpse of Bethany, but she was nowhere in sight.

A tight knot settled in his chest. The memory of the stadium, the boy beside Bethany, and the unanswered call replayed in his mind, making his thoughts spiral. He felt a confusing mix of jealousy, worry, and frustration. Why am I even feeling like this? he wondered, frowning. It’s just a friend. She’s probably just… talking.

Meanwhile, Bethany had arrived, expecting to see Evan waiting as usual. But he wasn’t there. She checked her phone for any message—nothing. Assuming he was running late, she waited near the gate, her feet shuffling on the concrete, the sound of chatter filling the air. The bell rang, and the gates began to close. When Evan still hadn’t appeared, she sighed and went inside, hoping to catch him somewhere in the corridors.

The school corridors were alive with students hustling to class, the walls lined with posters for the upcoming cultural fest and academic competitions. She finally spotted Evan seated at his desk in their classroom. Headphones in, eyes fixed on his notebook, he didn’t even glance up. The room was half-filled with students pulling out books, whispering about weekend adventures, and the hum of the air conditioner mixed with the rustle of pages.

Bethany approached cautiously. “You’re already at school?” she asked, trying to sound casual, her heart quietly thumping.

Evan looked up briefly. “Yeah,” he said flatly, returning his gaze to the notebook. There was none of his usual spark, no teasing smile, just a calm neutrality that felt strangely cold.

Bethany frowned. “Are you okay?” she asked, leaning slightly to catch his eye. But Evan didn’t respond beyond a small shrug.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he muttered, the words clipped and rehearsed.

Bethany felt a flicker of unease. This wasn’t the Evan she knew—playful, teasing, open. Something was off, and she couldn’t tell if it was about her, the stadium incident, or something else entirely. She decided to give him space for now, retreating to her desk as the minutes dragged on.

When break finally came, Bethany headed outside, expecting Evan to join her. The courtyard was alive with students lounging on the grass, sharing snacks, scrolling through phones, and laughing over shared jokes. She scanned the crowds, looking for him, but he never appeared.

Curious and worried, she returned to the classroom. It was quieter now, the chatter mostly gone, save for a few stragglers packing up. Evan still sat at his desk, his notebook closed and hands clasped together as if he was lost in thought.

“Aren’t you going for lunch?” she asked, voice calm but tinged with concern.

Evan looked up, his eyes sharp and distant. “I’m not going,” he said harshly, the words snapping out more sharply than he intended.

Bethany blinked, taken aback. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked, stepping closer. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as confusion and hurt mingled.

Evan stood abruptly, grabbed his bag, and walked away, leaving Bethany frozen in place. The scrape of his chair echoed loudly, breaking the quiet. She ran after him, calling his name, but he didn’t stop. Frustration and hurt bubbled inside her as she watched him disappear down the hallway.

As he walked, Evan whispered to himself, “Why am I angry at her?” His mind twisted over the images of the stadium—the boy leaning in, Bethany laughing, her head tilted toward him—and now this inexplicable distance. He felt both possessive and guilty, confused by the surge of emotions that seemed to pull him in every direction.

He passed the lockers, each one a reminder of the countless times he and Bethany had shared small joys—racing to finish math homework, debating which snack combo was the best, teasing each other over ridiculous bets. Those memories, once warm, now felt tainted by the swirl of jealousy and unspoken tension.

Reaching the staircase, Evan took the steps two at a time, his mind a whirlwind. It’s ridiculous. She’s just a friend. But why did it feel like… He trailed off, a knot tightening in his chest. He leaned against the railing at the top, breathing heavily. The bell rang, signaling the start of the next class, but it sounded distant, muffled by the storm in his mind.

Meanwhile, Bethany stood near the classroom door, her mind spinning. She replayed the encounter again and again, trying to pinpoint where she went wrong. Was it something she said? Something she didn’t say? Anxiety gnawed at her, a small pit in her stomach that wouldn’t ease. She glanced at her phone, hoping for a text from Evan—nothing. Not even a “see you later.” The sting of rejection was sharp, but it was replaced quickly by genuine worry. Evan wasn’t the type to act out of spite; there had to be a deeper reason.

She sighed and started walking back to her desk. On the way, she passed the bulletin board, where a colorful flyer for the upcoming cultural fest caught her eye. The thought of dancing with Evan in the planned choreography, laughing at each other’s mistakes, now felt like a distant dream.

School eventually ended, and Bethany began the walk home with her best friend, Ava. The route was familiar—past the mango tree that always seemed to drop a fruit at the perfect time, past the small bridge where they had once skipped stones, past the bakery that smelled of cinnamon and sugar. Ava chattered about her day, but Bethany’s mind kept drifting back to Evan.

“Where’s Evan?” Ava asked suddenly, noticing Bethany’s distracted expression. “You two are usually inseparable during lunch.”

Bethany sighed, tugging at the strap of her bag. “I don’t know what I did wrong. He’s ignoring me again.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Then just let him be! Honestly, I don’t like him,” she said bluntly, her voice carrying a hint of protectiveness.

Bethany’s eyes widened. “You don’t like him? He’s a cool guy and—well, he’s handsome!” She tried to keep her tone light, though the worry lingered in her chest.

“Cool guy?” Ava snorted. “What do you know about cool guys, Miss?” She nudged Bethany playfully, teasing but sincere.

Bethany laughed weakly. “All good-looking guys are cool, Ava!”

Ava smirked. “Uhm… what’s going on here, Miss Martins?” Her mischievous eyes sparkled.

Bethany’s face turned red, and she crossed her arms. “Hey! It’s not what you think, okay?”

Ava chuckled. “Okay, okay, but it better not be what I’m thinking. Good-looking guys can break hearts fast, you know.” She tossed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture casual, but her words carried weight.

Bethany’s expression softened, revealing her vulnerability. “I just want to be friends with Evan. I don’t know why he keeps pushing me away.” Her voice was quiet now, almost confessional, as if saying it out loud might make the problem real.

Ava’s tone softened, too. “Girl, let the man be! There are plenty of other friends at school. It doesn’t have to be ‘Mr. Snob.’” She gave Bethany a gentle shove, a mix of camaraderie and support.

Bethany sighed, her gaze drifting down the familiar path ahead, as if hoping she might catch a glimpse of him. “I just hope he’s okay,” she murmured. Her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag, twisting it slightly as the worry gnawed at her chest.

Ava nudged her playfully. “Hello? Snap out of it, Beth!” Her laugh was infectious, breaking the lingering tension just enough for Bethany to laugh softly in response.

They continued walking home, the sun beginning to dip behind the rooftops, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The warmth of the evening contrasted with the unease Bethany carried. Despite Ava’s teasing and her light-hearted warnings, Bethany couldn’t shake the concern she felt for Evan. Something was clearly bothering him, and she had no idea how to reach him.

The walk ended in comfortable silence, their laughter fading with the sunset. But in Bethany’s heart, a quiet worry remained, lingering like the last traces of twilight that refused to disappear. She knew this bump in their friendship wouldn’t be permanent, but at that moment, the uncertainty weighed heavier than she liked to admit.