Claire didn't expect to see Randy again so soon, but there he was — waiting near the school gates, just like yesterday. This time, he wasn't leaning casually or pretending it was all spontaneous. He looked like someone who had made up his mind.
When their eyes met, he smiled. Not overly confident — but sincere.
"Claire," he greeted, walking toward her. "Do you have a minute?"
She nodded hesitantly. "Yeah. What is it?"
"I just… wanted to be honest. All this time, I've liked you," he said, his voice calm but clear. "Ever since we met at that school competition years ago. I never said anything back then — it wasn't the right time. But I've watched you grow into someone strong and thoughtful, and I respect that. I admire you."
Claire blinked, caught off guard. "I didn't know."
"I didn't want you to," he admitted. "Not until I was sure of what I felt, and sure that I could offer you something meaningful. My family's helped you before — not for favors, not for anything in return. Just because we care."
He paused, then added gently, "Because I care."
Claire's heart pounded, unsure what to say.
"I'm not asking for anything now," Randy said. "I just wanted you to know. That's all."
That evening.
Claire sat across the dinner table, stirring her rice but barely tasting it. The quiet hung between her and her mother until finally, she said it aloud.
"Randy told me he likes me."
Her mother glanced up from her plate, surprised — but not entirely. "And?"
Claire sighed. "I don't know what to think. He said his family helped us because they cared. Because he cared."
Her mom set down her spoon, her expression thoughtful. "They did help, Claire. You never saw it, but after the accident with Diana, after the bullying reports… people wanted to tear you down. It could've gone public. It could've ruined more than just your record. His family protected you."
Claire swallowed. "But does that mean I owe him something now?"
"No," her mother said firmly. "You don't owe anyone your feelings. But maybe… it means you should look at him with open eyes. See the person behind the help. Behind the silence."
Claire fell quiet, the words settling in like a soft weight.
Her mother reached across the table, her voice gentler now. "You're not a child anymore, Claire. You know how rare it is to find someone who quietly stands by without expecting anything back. If there's even a small part of you that's curious… don't shut the door too fast."
Claire nodded slowly.
But deep inside, she wondered:
If someone loves you quietly for years… does that mean it's real? Or just convenient?
Claire sat with her lunch tray untouched, pushing her rice around with a fork. Vienna plopped down across from her, immediately sensing something was off.
"You look like you just got assigned a group project with people you hate," Vienna said.
Claire gave a small laugh, but it faded quickly. "Randy confessed."
Vienna blinked. "Wait. Randy Randy? The tall, quiet rich-kid Randy who always looks like he's walking out of a GQ cover?"
"That one."
Vienna leaned in. "Okay, what did he say? And what did you say?"
Claire exhaled slowly. "He said he's liked me since we met at that old school competition. That his family helped mine back then because… he cared. He didn't ask for anything. He just wanted me to know."
Vienna stared at her. "And?"
Claire looked down. "And Mom kind of… supports it. She told me maybe I should give him a chance."
Vienna raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess — because of everything his family did to you?"
Claire nodded.
Vienna leaned back in her chair. "Okay, I get why that's complicated. But Claire — helping your family doesn't automatically mean he's the right person for you. Respect? Sure. Grateful? Definitely. But love? That's a you decision."
Claire ran a hand through her hair. "That's what I'm scared of. Everyone's telling me he's a good choice. A safe one. That I'd be stupid not to consider him. But I can't tell if I feel anything for him — or if I'm just... trying not to disappoint anyone."
Vienna's expression softened. "Claire. You've spent so much of your life carrying other people's expectations. Teachers. Friends. Family. Even ghosts."
Claire looked up at her.
Vienna added gently, "Let this one be yours. If your heart says no, it's okay to listen to it."
Claire gave a faint, grateful smile. "I wish you were my inner voice."
"I kind of am," Vienna said, smirking. "Just louder and more fashionable."
They both laughed — soft and short, but real.
Claire still didn't have an answer.
But she knew this: with Vienna around, she didn't have to fake one.
Two days later. After school.
The sky was silver-gray, hanging heavy with the kind of quiet that usually came before rain. Claire waited near the back gate, where the crowds were thinner and the world felt a little more distant.
Randy arrived exactly when he said he would — no surprise, no drama. Just him, walking toward her with that quiet presence he always carried.
"Hey," he said, slowing to a stop in front of her.
"Hey," Claire replied. Her voice was steady, but her heart beat faster than she wanted to admit.
He looked at her for a moment — not searching, not demanding. Just… waiting.
Claire took a breath. "I've been thinking."
Randy stayed silent.
She looked up at him. "About everything. You. What you said. What you didn't say."
"I meant every word," he said gently. "But I wasn't expecting an answer right away."
"Well," Claire said, voice softer now. "I have one."
He blinked, and for the first time, she saw something like nervousness flicker in his usually composed expression.
"I'm not promising perfection," she said. "Or that I've figured myself out. I haven't. But I've spent so much of my life wondering who to trust… and you — you were there, even when I didn't see it. Even when you weren't trying to be seen."
His breath caught just a little.
Claire stepped closer, her tone quiet but sure. "So if you're still willing… I'd like to give this a real chance."
Randy's eyes softened instantly, his relief palpable but held with the same calm restraint he always carried.
"I'm still willing," he said.
A small, hesitant smile curved on Claire's lips. "Okay then."
For a moment, neither of them moved. There was no kiss. No dramatic music. Just the weight of a shared understanding, finally acknowledged.
It started to drizzle — light drops tapping against the ground like a quiet applause.
Randy opened the umbrella he had brought and tilted it over both of them. "Let's walk a little," he said.
Claire nodded, stepping beside him.
They walked slowly under the gray sky — not quite in love, but no longer circling it.
Just two people, finally moving in the same direction.