The classroom was quieter than usual after practice.
The golden evening light streamed through the windows, soft and warm.
One by one, the group left.
Dylan loudly announced he was "starving."
Ethan dragged David out with him.
Nate and Adrian left suspiciously fast.
Lucy gave Grace a small, knowing smile before walking out.
Zara followed without a word.
Theo was the last one at the door.
He looked at Julian.
Then at Grace.
Then he nodded once.
And left.
The door closed.
Silence.
Just Grace and Julian.
Grace tried to act normal while putting her notebook into her bag.
Her heart was not normal.
Julian stood there for a second, gathering himself.
He remembered what they all said.
Keep it simple.
Don't overthink it.
Just tell her.
"Grace."
She looked up.
The light caught in her eyes.
And suddenly he wasn't nervous anymore.
He stepped closer.
"I don't want this to be another almost."
Her breath caught slightly.
He continued, steady.
"You matter to me. Not just as part of the group. Not just because we've known each other for a long time."
He swallowed once.
"I like you. I've liked you for a while."
No rush.
No dramatic pause.
Just truth.
Grace didn't look shocked.
She didn't look confused.
She looked relieved.
Like she'd been holding the same words inside.
"You don't have to say anything right away," Julian added softly. "I just didn't want you to ever feel like you were fighting alone."
That was it.
That sentence.
That's when her eyes softened completely.
"I'm not fighting anymore," she said quietly.
Julian's heart pounded.
"Why?"
She stepped closer.
"Because I like you too."
Simple.
Clear.
Certain.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then they both laughed — softly, nervously — because it felt unreal.
Julian let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"Really?"
Grace rolled her eyes lightly, smiling.
"Yes, really."
The space between them felt lighter now.
No tension.
No guessing.
Just mutual understanding.
He didn't grab her hand dramatically.
He didn't pull her into a hug.
He just smiled at her like she was the best thing in the room.
And she smiled back the same way.
Outside the classroom door —
The entire group was pressed against the wall like amateurs.
Dylan nearly fell over trying to peek through the tiny glass panel.
Ethan whispered loudly, "What's happening? I can't hear!"
David shoved him lightly. "Shut up."
Zoey clutched Ella's arm.
Lucy held her breath.
Nate and Adrian were pretending they didn't care — but were absolutely listening.
Zara stood slightly back, watching quietly.
Theo stood at the end of the line.
Not smiling.
Not upset.
Just… accepting.
Inside, Grace laughed softly.
And Julian's shoulders relaxed completely.
Dylan gasped.
"IT WORKED."
Ethan fist pumped.
Zoey squealed — too loud.
Inside the classroom, Grace and Julian froze.
"…Was that Zoey?" Grace asked.
The door burst open.
"CONGRATULATIONS," Dylan shouted.
Ethan ran in behind him. "We knew it!"
Zoey and Ella hugged Grace immediately.
David clapped Julian on the back.
Nate smirked. "Took you long enough."
Adrian nodded approvingly.
Lucy stepped forward last.
She looked at Grace.
"I'm happy for you."
And this time —
It was genuine.
Zara gave a small smile.
"Well played."
Theo stepped forward slowly.
He looked at Julian first.
Then at Grace.
And for a moment, the past flickered between them.
But he nodded.
"You deserve this."
Grace held his gaze for a second.
Not awkward.
Not tense.
Just closure.
"Thank you."
And just like that —
The air felt clean.
Lighter.
The group surrounded them, talking over each other, laughing, teasing.
Dylan declared they were all going out for food.
Ethan insisted on documenting the moment.
Zoey kept whispering "I knew it" every five seconds.
Julian stood next to Grace in the middle of the chaos.
Not uncertain.
Not almost.
Just there.
And this time —
She wasn't fighting for space.
She didn't have to.
Because someone chose her.
And she chose him back.