Time moved slowly but surely. Life was steady, friendships remained the same, and her relationship with Lynx continued in its usual quiet rhythm. Nothing dramatic had happened, no fights, no breakups—just a slow, unspoken understanding between them. But lately, something felt off.
Monica started noticing that Lynx wasn't coming to school regularly. On the days he did show up, it was always late—sometimes by an hour, sometimes even more. It wasn't like she was the most punctual student either; she had her fair share of arriving late. But at least she made an effort to be there. Lynx, on the other hand, seemed like he didn't care at all.
At first, she told herself it wasn't her problem. Lynx was Lynx. He'd always been distant, always moved at his own pace. But the more she noticed his absence, the more she realized—she missed him.
Not that she could expect much from a relationship that hadn't even started with love.
Still, she couldn't help but worry. If he kept this up, he could get expelled. The thought bothered her more than she expected.
So, she started reminding him to come to school, texting him every night before a school day. "Just show up, even if you're late," she'd type. "At least come for the last period." She didn't know if her words really made a difference, but she kept trying.
She even made the effort to inform the teachers when he was absent, coming up with whatever excuses she could. She didn't know why she was doing it—maybe she just didn't want to see him get into trouble. Maybe she wanted to believe she had some kind of influence on him.
When their final project was announced, Monica made sure to partner up with him. She knew that if he ended up with one of the guys in their class, nothing would get done, and his grades would sink even further. If she was his partner, at least she could make sure they got through it together.
Somewhere along the way, she had admitted something to him.
"I didn't couple up with you out of love at first," she had told him honestly. "But… I think I actually like you now."
Lynx had only nodded, like he had already known.
By then, they had stopped doing things just because it was what couples were supposed to do. No more forced I love you texts. No pretending. Just them, figuring things out in their own quiet, complicated way.