Chapter 4

Miley woke up feeling lighter than she expected.

The house was quiet, washed in soft morning light. No strange sounds. No uneasy thoughts. Just the faint hum of a normal day beginning.

She got dressed without much thought, smoothing her skirt and tying her hair back. Downstairs, breakfast waited the same way it always did-warm, familiar, unremarkable.

Her parents talked about yesterday’s game.
“The school won, right?” her father said.

“Yes,” her mother replied. “Everyone was excited.

Miley nodded along,

She hadn’t felt ready yet.

School felt easier today.

The halls no longer felt too big, too loud. She walked into her classroom and stopped short.

Felix was there.

Sitting two rows ahead of her.

Her heart skipped.

She hadn’t known he was in the same class. She was sure she would’ve noticed yesterday.

Anya leaned over immediately. “Did you see? He’s back in class today. Practice ended late yesterday.”

Miley barely heard her

Felix looked exactly the same.

Same posture. Same careless calm. Same face she’d carried with her for years without realizing it.

Elementary school memories surfaced before she could stop them-shared classrooms, quiet glances, a crush she’d never been brave enough to name.

She swallowed.

It’s fine, she told herself. Just say hi.

She leaned forward slightly. “Hi.”

Felix looked up.

“Oh-hi,” he said politely.

He waited.

Miley’s smile faltered.

“You… don’t remember me,” she said softly.

His brows drew together, apologetic. “I’m sorry. Have we met?”

The words landed gently-but they still hurt.

“We went to the same elementary school,” she said. “A long time ago.”

“Oh.” He smiled, awkward but kind. “Then-hi again.

“Yeah,” she said. “Hi.”

Silence settled between them, thin and uncomfortable.

Anya shot her a curious look, but Miley shook her head slightly.

It wasn’t a big moment.

It wasn’t dramatic.

Just a small realization she hadn’t expected to sting.

Classes went on as usual.

Felix answered questions like any other student. He laughed quietly at something a boy behind him said. Nothing about him stood out-except to Miley.

By the time the final bell rang, the feeling had faded into something dull and distant.

On the walk home, she told herself it didn’t matter.

People forget.

Time passes.

Crushes fade.

That night, lying in bed, she replayed the moment anyway.

Not because it was painful.

But because it felt… unfinished.

Tomorrow would be normal again.

She was sure of it.
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Chapter ended