• 42
It was quiet in that strange way it gets when everyone else has already left. The sun was low, everything was too quiet.
He had his hands in his pockets, shoulders tense, jaw tight.
"You okay?" I asked.
He nodded automatically.
"Yeah," he said. "Just... tired."
I knew better even then.
We stopped near the steps, where we always did. My backpack felt heavier than usual, like I didn't want to take it off, like leaving meant something I wasn't ready for.
"So," I said, forcing a smile. "You're done. Graduated. Big scary future."
He huffed a quiet sound. "Something like that."
He didn't look at me when he spoke next.
"Things are gonna change for me," he said.
I swallowed. "Change how?"
He finally looked at me then. And for just a second, the mask slipped.
"I won't be around much," he said. "Not like this. Not for a while."
My chest tightened. I frowned.
"Oh," I said softly. "Because of your family stuff?"
He nodded. He didn't tell me much, just that he had family responsibilities.
"I won't be... this version of me anymore."
I didn't know what to say. I didn't really understand it yet — but I felt it. The weight. The loss. He looked almost nervous.
"Well," I said, trying to sound lighter than I felt, "you'll still be my friend. We will still talk."
He smiled, but it was sad.
"Yeah?" he teased. "Best friend?"
I rolled my eyes. "Obviously. My one and only best friend."
Then, quieter, I added, "You're the first real true friend I ever had, you know."
I hesitated, then laughed softly.
"You were also my first ever boy hug."
He looked at me then.
Raised an eyebrow.
"You've never hugged a boy before me?" he asked, face completely neutral.
I shrugged, suddenly shy. "Technically outside of family... no."
He looked a bit surprised.
"I'm glad it was me," he said.
I laughed, embarrassed. "I know. It's kinda silly."
"It's not," he said immediately.
That surprised me.
"Well," I said, changing the subject before I could overthink it, "I'll miss tutoring you, Nico."
He scoffed. "I won't miss tutoring."
I smiled at him. "You'll miss me, though."
He paused.
"Maybe," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "You know you will."
He looked at me like that mattered more than anything else I could've said.
We stood there for a moment, the air heavy between us.
"Promise me something," I said suddenly.
He raised a brow. "Oh no."
"Promise me," I said, serious now, "that even if everything changes... you won't forget who you are."
His throat bobbed. He looked away for a moment.
"And promise me," I added, voice softer, "that you won't disappear on me. Not completely. Even if you become super cool."
He stepped closer.
"I won't," he said quietly. "Not from you."
I nodded, blinking fast.
"Okay," I said. "Then I'll promise too."
"What?"
"That no matter how cool, and amazing you become," I said, "I'll always remember you like this. Like the Nico, I tutored, and who always helped me reach the books on the top shelf."
He smiled — a real one this time.
"Deal," he said.
He hesitated, then pulled me into a quick hug. Just warm. Familiar, but initiated by him for the first time.
"Be safe, Daria," he murmured.
"I will," I promised.
I didn't know then how much that promise would matter, I also didn't know then that it would be the last time things felt that simple.
But I think he did.
Hi babies
I hate to say it! We are nearing the end of the book??