Alice

“I still have a class to attend, Javier.” I forced my voice to remain steady, even as the weight pressing against my chest made it difficult to breathe. “This isn’t the right time to talk.” I paused before adding, my words tinged with quiet pleading, “Besides… we’ve already talked about this.”

I didn’t want to hurt him anymore. I didn’t want to see him like this—standing in front of me, desperately clinging to something I knew, deep inside, I had already let go of.

Yet there he was, still stepping closer, still reaching out, even after I had pushed him away again and again.

“I love you,” he replied...