Present

Two years later...

Samantha was now in Grade 11. She saw Mike, her crush from the past. Mike was beautiful, had fair skin, and was a great leader, though she could be strict. They weren't in the same section, but they were on the same floor. They were classmates back in Grade 5 and 6. Even now, Samantha still felt like she was a slow learner, just like before.

But despite finding her family, Samantha was now fully healed. Every night, she would cry herself to sleep, still thinking about her mother. Every night, she would dream about that painful moment—seeing her mother leaving her, walking away without ever coming back. She didn't realize it yet, but the pain was slowly making way for a happiness she never expected was coming her way.

But little did she know, there was someone else who had been watching her and loving her silently all this time. Not knowing that true happiness was closer than she thought.

The Next Day

Samantha was sitting alone on the grass at the oval field. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. She was staring into space, her mind empty and far away.

Lucas, Rose’s older brother, saw her. He noticed she looked sad and had been crying. He walked over and sat beside her. Samantha was lost in her thoughts, so she didn't notice him until he gently patted her shoulder.

She jumped slightly and looked at him. "Lucas?"

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked softly. "Why are your eyes so red? Did you cry last night?" He continued, "Xian has been trying to find you and talk to you, but he doesn't know how to approach you because he knows you need space."

Samantha looked down. "Did Xian tell you everything? About what happened to me and Mike?"

"Yes," Lucas replied gently. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding. I just... I was worried about you."

"Well, you're not really intruding. I understand that you're just concerned. But honestly... we were never that close before, right? We barely even talked," Samantha said.

"I know..." Lucas replied softly. "But... can we be friends now? It's just... I know you are still hurting because of what happened with Mike, and I understand how you feel."

"So what's your point?" Samantha asked curiously.

"Uh... nothing really," Lucas answered, looking down slightly. "I just really want to be your friend. And I care about you more than you know."

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Lucas POV:

I can't tell her yet that I like her. It would be too much of a shock for her right now. I don't want to make her uncomfortable, and I definitely don't want her to reject me or get angry. I'll just stay by her side as a friend first and help her heal. Once she has completely moved on and her heart is ready... that's when I will confess my feelings to her.

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Samantha hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine... we can be friends... I guess so."

"Thank you, Samantha," Lucas said, his face lighting up with a warm, genuine smile—one that reached his eyes, showing just how happy her answer made him.

Seeing him smile like that made Samantha's heart skip a tiny beat, though she didn't understand why. She found herself smiling back at him softly, feeling a strange sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't a big moment, but somehow, it felt like a heavy weight was slowly being lifted off her chest.

It was a small beginning, but for Lucas, it meant the whole world. At that moment, Lucas felt a spark of hope. He promised himself silently that he would do everything to make her happy again.

Deep inside, Lucas felt a surge of hope and happiness. Finally, he thought to himself.

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Lucas POV:

Now I have the chance to be close to her and protect her.

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He was determined to take things slow, to be the friend she needed first, and wait patiently for the right time to show her just how much he truly loved her.

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