The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 29 – The Rumor

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The next morning, the rain had stopped.

The sky was clear, and the school courtyard was still damp from the storm.

I arrived a little earlier than usual to return the umbrella to our English teacher.

When I stepped into the staff room, he smiled.

"Thank you for bringing it back."

"Thank you for lending it to us, sir."

"No problem."

As I turned to leave, he added with a small smile,

"You and Narin make a good team."

I paused for a second.

"...We're just classmates."

He nodded kindly.

"I know."

But for some reason...

His words stayed in my mind.

By lunchtime, the whole school seemed unusually lively.

Students from different classes filled the corridors.

As I walked toward the classroom, I heard two girls talking nearby.

"Aren't Phawin and Narin always together?"

"I've noticed that too."

"They're probably just best friends."

"I've never seen Narin this close to anyone."

I kept walking as though I hadn't heard them.

Rumors had a way of growing on their own.

The less attention I gave them...

The sooner they disappeared.

Or so I hoped.

When I entered the classroom, Narin was sitting at my desk.

"There you are."

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Maybe."

He grinned.

"I was getting bored."

"You have plenty of friends."

"They're busy."

He stood up and stretched.

"Come on."

"Lunch?"

I nodded.

We walked toward our usual spot beneath the old tree.

Halfway there, one of Narin's friends called out,

"Hey, Narin!"

He turned around.

"What?"

His friend laughed.

"You've forgotten us."

"I haven't."

"You spend more time with Phawin than with anyone else."

Narin smiled casually.

"So?"

"So... nothing."

His friend laughed again and walked away.

I looked at Narin.

"You could've gone with them."

"I could've."

"But I wanted to eat with you."

He answered so naturally that I didn't know what to say.

That afternoon, classes ended earlier than expected because one of the teachers was absent.

Most students rushed out of the school gates.

Narin and I walked home together.

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

"You just did."

He laughed.

"You know what I mean."

"What is it?"

"Do the rumors bother you?"

I thought for a moment.

"Not really."

"They don't?"

I shook my head.

"I know who my friends are."

He became unusually quiet.

After a few steps, he smiled to himself.

"I'm glad."

"What about you?"

He looked at the road ahead.

"I don't care what people say."

Then, almost in a whisper, he added,

"As long as I can keep walking beside you."

I wasn't sure if I'd heard him correctly.

Before I could ask, he changed the subject completely.

"By the way..."

"Did you finish the math homework?"

I blinked.

"Yes."

"Can I copy it tomorrow?"

I sighed.

"I knew you were going to ask."

He laughed.

The conversation moved on.

But his quiet words stayed behind.

As long as I can keep walking beside you.

At the time...

I thought he was talking about friendship.

Looking back...

Maybe he was already telling me something his heart couldn't say aloud.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysEQnIm6Hm

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