After about ten minutes, I heard footsteps. I turned slightly to see Arin slipping out of the class, glancing around before casually strolling toward me. My breath caught in my throat.
"Why do you talk so much?" he asked, standing beside me.
I smirked. "Why do you stay so quiet?"
He shrugged, glancing at me with a half-smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. For a split second, I thought I saw something flicker in his expression, a brief hesitation before he turned his gaze toward the ground. It was almost imperceptible, but enough to make my chest tighten. "No reason."
I mirrored his expression. "Well, no reason for me either."
Silence settled between us, but it wasn't awkward. It was… comfortable. We both leaned against the wall, gazing out at the same spot in the distance. But I couldn't help but notice how his eyes lingered on my hands, a small glance before he quickly looked away. Was he checking to see if I was fidgeting?
After a moment, he glanced at me again. "But… it must be hurting, right?"
I blinked, confused. "Huh? No, my feet don't hurt."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head, but there was a faint warmth in his voice that made something stir in my chest. "I see. Well, I should get going then."
He turned to leave, but I found myself speaking before I could stop myself. "Wait! Where are you going? I thought the teacher kicked you out too?"
He stopped and looked back at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Nope. Just going to the washroom. Wanna come?"
I scoffed, trying to hide the small flutter in my stomach. "Don't talk nonsense."
I turned my gaze away, but my mind was racing.
Wait… did he really just come out to check on me?
A strange warmth settled in my chest. It wasn't much, just a tiny flicker of something… but it was there.
And somehow, that was enough to make me smile.