I stepped into my final class of the day. It wasn't until I sank into my seat and pulled out my notebook that it hit me—I was about to sit through my Calculus lesson. The one I shared with Della.

Ever since the breakup, we'd gone out of our way to avoid each other.

But today, with the fall ball in the back of my mind, I was suddenly compelled to do otherwise. My gaze flicked toward the door every time it opened, my pulse quickening with each new arrival. I told myself I was just being observant, but I knew better. I was waiting for her.

And then she walked in.

Della stepped into the classroom, her dark eyes scanning the room before locking onto mine. My heart leaped, pounding faster as she started across the room. I expected her to walk right past me like she always did, heading for one of the empty seats near the back.

But she didn't.

She stopped right next to me, her bag slung over one shoulder. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Is this seat taken?"

"No," I said, my voice wavering slightly to my dismay.

She slid into the seat beside me, her lips curving into a small smile. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make my stomach flip.

For a brief moment, I let myself feel relieved. But as quickly as it came, the feeling dissolved into a tense silence. I couldn't think of what to say next. Before I could muster the courage to speak, the teacher strode into the room, commanding everyone's attention.

The lesson began, and I tried—really tried—to focus. But how could I, when Della was right there? Every brush of her arm against mine sent a jolt through me. The scratch of her pen on paper was unnervingly loud in my ears. I was hyper-aware of every tiny movement she made.

When the lesson ended, students began packing up and filtering out, their chatter filling the space. Della started gathering her things too, and I knew this was my chance. If I didn't speak up now, I might not get another opportunity.

"Hey," I said, making her stop as we stood, ready to leave. "Can we talk?"

She paused, glancing up at me, "Ivan told me you'd have something to say," she said, tilting her head slightly.

I blinked, taken aback. "Oh?" I managed. "I didn't know you still kept in touch with him."

She nodded, her gaze dropping briefly before meeting mine again. There was something hesitant in her expression. "So, what is it?"

I hesitated, feeling the weight of the question I'd been carrying for months. My heart thudded loudly in my chest as I forced the words out. "Why did you push me away last summer?"

Her expression faltered, the light in her eyes dimming. She looked down, fiddling with the zipper of her bag. "You know why," she said quietly, her voice barely audible.

"I don't," I replied, frustration and confusion bubbling to the surface.

She sighed, her brow furrowing as if she were wrestling with herself. "I just... I didn't feel like I fit in with your friends," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Last summer, it was just us. You and me. Whenever we wanted. But now..." Her words trailed off, and she shrugged, as though that explained everything.

"This is about a friend, isn't it?" I asked softly.

Della didn't respond right away, but the way her shoulders tensed gave her away. Finally, she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "She's going to hate me more than she already does."

"Lucy doesn't hate you." I said instinctively, "Why would she?"

Della shrugged. "You don't know her like I do."

I wanted to argue, to tell her she was wrong but the vulnerability in her voice stopped me. I let her think she knew Lucy better than I did. But in truth she only knew the old Lucy well. I can't imagine the Lucy I know getting mad at her for just showing up after falling apart.

"I think it would help if you two talked it out," I suggested, my voice soft but steady.

Della scoffed. "Why?"

"Because I want to take you to the Fall Ball," I blurted out, looking as firm and sure as I could.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she didn't say anything. The silence stretched, thick and uncertain, and I wondered if I'd just made a huge mistake.

"You do?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, forcing myself to hold her gaze. "Yeah. I do."

She looked down, biting her lip as if trying to piece together her thoughts. "Does Lucy know about this?" she asked after a pause, her tone cautious.

"Not yet," I admitted, feeling the weight of the admission settle between us. "But she'll understand. I'll make sure of it."

The silence that followed was loaded, neither of us sure what to say next. I knew I had to break it. "Are you free tomorrow?" I asked, keeping my tone casual, though my pulse quickened with anticipation.

"Yeah... why?" she replied, her gaze flicking back up to meet mine.

"Lucy's brother is throwing a party at their place," I said. "Their parents are out."

Her brows furrowed slightly. "Yeah, I heard about it."

"You should come," I urged. "We might be able to sort everything out. Once and for all."

She hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "I can't—"

"Please?" I interrupted gently. "For the Fall Ball?"

Her lips parted as if to protest, but instead, she let out a soft sigh. "For the Fall Ball."