As Lucian pushed himself up from the bench, frustration tightened his jaw, the words slipping from him in a low, weary tone. “Sigh… I told you to leave me alone. Now my mind and mood are both ruined.” Without even looking back or giving Avey a chance to reply, he swung a leg over the seat, sliding out with a decisive jump, and stalked straight out of the classroom, his frustration leaving an unsettling silence in his wake.
Avey, frozen by the intensity of his reaction, could only manage a faint whisper, “Lucian, please…” But he didn’t turn back, his posture rigid as he left his bag untouched on the desk. Every student in the room watched in silence as Lucian’s figure faded out the door, leaving an odd emptiness in the space he had just occupied. The hushed chatter and murmurs slowly died down, replaced by a heavy silence that blanketed the classroom.
Avey continued to stare at the spot where Lucian had disappeared, feeling the weight of her own actions settle into her chest. His words and distant expression replayed in her mind. She recalled the countless times he had been there, presenting his heartfelt confessions always with that quiet hope in his eyes. His gestures had been steady, unchanging: the time he brought chocolates, the times he braved rain and cold just to see her smile. Every confession, every effort all of it was sincere. And each time, she had turned him down almost instinctively, more out of habit than thought.
At the time, it hadn’t felt wrong. Rejecting people’s kindness had always been something she did easily, and with Lucian, it had been no different at least, that’s what she thought. The rejections had come naturally, but with every refusal, there was also a strange comfort, a sense of predictability. Deep down, she’d grown accustomed to his presence, even found herself waiting for him each day without fully realizing it.
Only now did she understand the depth of what she’d lost. His confessions, the words that had once seemed trivial to her, echoed in her memory like a haunting melody. The routine that she had once dismissed now felt like a thread unraveled too soon. And the reality hit hard, her hand instinctively raised as if to call him back, but her voice failed her, caught somewhere between regret and pride, lodged painfully in her throat. free𝑤ebnovel.com
All she could do was lower her hand, shoulders trembling slightly. For the first time, she had no words, no defenses, nothing to shield herself from the ache of watching him walk away.
Cassandra, her close friend who had watched all of this unfold, gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t say anything, but her comforting presence was enough. Avey’s gaze remained fixed on the door, though Lucian was long gone. She fought the welling of tears, her heart heavy with the memories of him and everything she had never let herself feel.
A few students whispered among themselves, exchanging glances as they tried to make sense of what had happened. Lucian, who had once followed Avey’s every move like a shadow, had finally, decisively turned his back on her. It felt surreal, like watching a storyline come to an unexpected halt.
They murmured quietly, sensing that whatever had just unfolded was a turning point.
The crowd of students murmured, glancing between each other, struggling to piece together what had just happened.
“Can someone explain this? I don’t get it at all,” one student whispered, leaning into the conversation around them.
“Oh, isn’t it obvious? Avey must have finally been moved by all of Lucian’s confessions. She came to him yesterday, and against all odds proposed. But then, he… turned her down?”
“That’s the strange part, though, right?” another chimed in. “Lucian’s been after her for years! You’d think he’d have jumped at the chance.”
A more experienced voice joined in, sounding wistful. “You don’t get it, do you? Love can be passionate and sincere, but it can’t be groveling or submissive.”
A few heads nodded thoughtfully, and another voice spoke up. “Exactly. If it were anyone else, I doubt they would’ve lasted past one rejection, let alone the number Lucian endured.”
“Yeah, I mean, how many of us would stick around after even one rejection?” someone chuckled, though with a hint of sympathy.
There was a long pause as this sank in.
“Even though I don’t know all the details,” one student murmured, “I feel bad for Lucian. That last thing he said to her… it wasn’t just a rejection, was it? It was like he was finally freeing himself, letting go of all that pain.”
“Yeah, that line he said I want it as my new status update,” someone added, half-joking, though several faces wore serious expressions.
sitting beside avey, Cassandra was catching every word. She frowned, her gaze flicking between the door Lucian had just exited and Avey, who sat beside her, visibly stunned, staring blankly at the floor. Avey’s eyes were red-rimmed, her face lost, as if she’d been hollowed out by the encounter. Cassandra shifted, debating whether to run after Lucian or stay with her friend, her face showing both worry and urgency.
Cassandra watched her friend crumble, torn between following Lucian and staying with Avey, who looked utterly lost. She sighed, knowing Avey needed her right now more than anything. Lucian would be fine he’d always been resilient, and Cassandra doubted he’d even stop to talk if she followed him. But Avey? Avey’s heart was breaking, and Cassandra could see it written all over her face.
“It’s okay, Avey,” Cassandra whispered, gently rubbing her friend’s back as they sat on the bench. She could feel Avey trembling, her emotions barely contained.
Avey turned toward her, tears pooling in her eyes. “Cassy… I ruined everything, didn’t I?” Her voice was a trembling whisper. “He hates me now, doesn’t he? He’s never looked at me like that before…”
Cassandra sighed, hugging Avey closer. “Avey, it’s not about hate,” she said softly, doing her best to console her friend. “I know it feels awful right now, but try to breathe and settle down. This is… complicated, and you’ve been through a lot emotionally.”
Avey nodded, wiping at her tears but unable to stop them from spilling down her cheeks. “I can’t sleep, Cassy… Not since I realized how much he means to me. I proposed to him, I bared my heart, and he just… he rejected me. And today, he walked past me like I was nothing. It hurts so much…”
“Avey…” Cassandra held her friend tightly as she wept. She wanted to be compassionate but couldn’t help voicing the truth. “You know, he’s not wrong to pull away,” she said quietly, hoping Avey would understand. “You rejected him over and over, and each time he came back to you. But just because you’re finally opening up now doesn’t mean he’s ready to open his heart again.”
Avey’s head sank onto Cassandra’s shoulder, her tears soaking into Cassandra’s shirt. “But why? I’ve finally realized how much he means to me. Why won’t he just…?”
Cassandra took a deep breath, her hand moving in comforting circles on Avey’s back. “Avey, maybe you’re asking too much, too soon. After so much pain, he has every right to guard his heart. This is your first time feeling this way, but Lucian’s been hurting for years. He needs time to trust again.”
Avey’s face twisted, as if Cassandra’s words were sinking in.
“He did,” Cassandra whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. “And right now, he’s taking care of himself. He’s just protecting himself, Avey… because he’s been through so much. He’s not rejecting you to hurt you, but because he’s learning to love himself, too. Don’t hate him for it.”
Avey’s breath hitched as her eyes filled with a fresh wave of tears. She finally understood: this wasn’t about winning or losing. It was about trust and healing.
“Please, Avey, don’t hold any resentment toward him. He doesn’t deserve to be hated, atleast not by you” Cassandra murmured, patting Avey’s back gently.
Avey leaned into Cassandra, her head resting on her friend’s shoulder as tears streamed down her face, leaving silent trails. She listened, Cassandra’s words sinking deep into her heart, mingling with the ache already throbbing there.
“And don’t give up so easily, Avey. Have you forgotten how many times Lucian proposed to you? He never gave up, not once,” Cassandra continued, her voice steady but firm, like a lifeline. “You’re here, feeling defeated after one try. Do you think that’s fair to him? He never backed down with you; he stood there every single time, even when you rejected him harshly. And now you’re saying he hates you just because he walked away?”
Cassandra wrapping her arms around Avey, squeezing gently to bring her back from the spiral she seemed to be falling into. “If you really love him, show him. Propose again. Tell him that you mean it. Put yourself out there the way he did, as many times as it takes. And if you can’t if you’re not willing to risk it like he did then don’t just sit here crying. Learn to move on.”
Avey closed her eyes, her breathing coming in slow, ragged pulls as she soaked in Cassandra’s words. Her resolve seemed to strengthen, the trembling in her hands stilled as she wiped her tears with a shaky breath. “You’re right, Cassy,” she whispered, looking up at her friend with a faint, grateful smile.
Cassandra nodded, a hint of pride softening her own features. “I’ve got your back, Avey. Just remember: if he’s worth it, then don’t give up. Not now.”
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here guys i tried to improve little writing style of mine…. should i less some more explanation or its good
thanks for reading