For a while…
Everything felt steady.
Almost too steady.
Amara should have been happy.
And she was.
But something about peace…
Sometimes felt unfamiliar.
Like she was waiting for something to go wrong.
She hated that feeling.
Because Kieran hadn't given her a reason to doubt him.
Not this time.
He showed up.
He stayed.
He tried.
Every single day.
So why did that small voice still exist?
What if something changes?
She pushed the thought away as she walked across campus, her eyes scanning for him out of habit.
And then she saw him.
But he wasn't alone.
A girl stood in front of him.
Close.
Too close.
They were talking.
Not casually.
Seriously.
Amara slowed down.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Not panic.
But something else.
Something sharper.
The girl laughed softly, touching Kieran's arm.
And that?
That didn't feel right.
Amara looked away immediately.
"Don't overthink," she whispered to herself.
But her steps felt heavier now.
Slower.
Because even if she didn't want to admit it…
It bothered her.
Later that afternoon, Kieran found her.
Like he always did.
"Hey," he said, sitting beside her.
"Hey."
Her tone was normal.
Too normal.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah."
He studied her for a second.
"You don't sound like it."
Amara forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
Silence.
But Kieran didn't let it go.
"What's wrong?"
She hesitated.
Because this was the moment.
The moment where she either spoke