Vera's sharp voice cut through the morning air. "Do

ered, keeping my voice sarcastic to mask the irritation bubbling inside me. "I still don't understand why you're so worried. Now, earl

, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I had bigger things to

ut her voice followed me,

resting on Vera's arm. "Wait, let me talk to her. Both of you are a

kept walking, hoping I could get some space to breathe, to think,

Nena,

reath, his face flushed with the effort."I treated her so badly, Samuel," I confessed, my voice quieter than

ting gently on my shoulder. "I talked to her. It'

everything else to the back of my mind. I slapped my forehead, groaning. "Damn it, I comp

amuel asked, the lightest

class," I said, a nervous laugh escaping me. It was a half-joke, but it

the clock. Finally, my mother locked the door and stepped outside, and Samuel and I

ed, peering at the old Toyota Al

eyes soft with kindness. "It's not too

t?" I raised an e

na?" Samuel grinned, his voice

of making everything feel lighter. And in that moment, I realized just

s would flicker to the door of the classroom, wondering when Amer would show up. His injuries still weighed heavily on

ut what caught my attention immediately was how the injuries on his face had al

yself. It wasn't just his physical appearance that shocked

eyebrow as he approached his seat. "What's

nt scars. "Yesterday, you were badly i

he didn't want to discuss it. "I was hurt, but

conversation short. I had no choice but to focus on the lesson, though my thoughts kept drifting back to Ame

ed my things and turned to him. "When are we going to the library?" I asked

ontinuing to gather his things,

into my voice. "When are we goin

smug. "I told you already-go ahea

ect for both of us! And believe me, I'm

mple "Alright," he walked out of

ked home, I muttered to myself, my frustration building with ev

stant. There, parked in front of my house, was the car, lo

number, my voice filled with disbelief.

it you've seen the car," he said

ut how did you manage

eplied, his voice soft. "But promise

was overwhelming, and the weight I had

day was over, my phone