The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 32 – The Confession That Wasn't

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtCU02XWyJ

The next few days passed quietly.

Classes continued as usual.

Homework piled up.

Teachers reminded us that the final examinations were getting closer.

Everything felt normal.

Except...

Narin seemed distracted.

Sometimes, I'd catch him staring out the window during class.

Other times, he'd start saying something to me, then stop halfway.

"What's wrong?" I asked one afternoon.

"Nothing."

"You've said 'nothing' three times today."

He smiled awkwardly.

"Have I?"

"You have."

He looked down at his notebook.

"I've just been thinking."

"About what?"

He looked at me for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"I'll tell you another day."

That Friday, our last lesson was cancelled because one of the teachers was absent.

Most students rushed to the playground.

A few stayed inside the classroom, chatting with friends.

I remained by the window, reading.

Narin walked over and sat beside me.

"Can we go somewhere?"

"Where?"

"The rooftop."

I looked at him in surprise.

"We're allowed up there?"

"Only after school."

I hesitated.

"...Okay."

When the final bell rang, we climbed the stairs to the rooftop.

The school looked different from above.

The football field stretched across one side of the campus.

The mountains in the distance were painted gold by the setting sun.

A cool breeze blew across the roof.

"It's peaceful," I said.

"I knew you'd like it."

We stood by the railing without speaking.

After a while, Narin took a deep breath.

"Phawin..."

"Hm?"

"I've been wanting to tell you something."

His voice was quieter than usual.

More serious.

I turned to face him.

"What is it?"

He looked at me.

For a long moment, he didn't say anything.

His hands tightened around the railing.

Then...

He smiled.

"...Never mind."

I frowned.

"You brought me here for 'never mind'?"

He laughed softly.

"I guess I did."

"You said it was important."

"It is."

"Then tell me."

He looked away toward the sunset.

"...I'm not ready."

I didn't understand.

Ready for what?

But I could tell he wasn't joking anymore.

So I didn't ask again.

As we walked down the stairs together, neither of us spoke.

The silence felt different.

Not awkward.

Just... unfinished.

At the school gate, Narin smiled as if nothing had happened.

"See you on Monday."

"See you."

I watched him walk away.

For the first time since we'd met...

I felt that he was carrying something too heavy to put into words.

And I had no idea...

That those unspoken words were meant for me.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRjnzw2jqH

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