Shane was anxious. He hadn't spoken to Aleena since that day in detention when Aleena had chased after Damian. Shane wasn't sure what had happened, but both Aleena and Damian had been absent from school for almost a week after that incident.
 
He had been concerned about Aleena, but every time he passed in the hallways, Aleena's face would flash in his mind.
 
"I think I've waited long enough for you, Shane," Aleena had said with a resigned and determined look, unintentionally breaking a dam in Shane's mind.
 
How could he have been so blind to how much he might have hurt Aleena over the past few weeks? Months? Years? Shane had always taken Aleena for granted, assuming she'd always be a permanent fixture in his life. The guilt gnawed at his stomach, and he couldn't summon the courage to approach Aleena again.
 
He hadn't even noticed his best friend's feelings for him.
 
Now, it was graduation day, and Shane feared he might never see Aleena again. Which university was she attending? Where would she live? Aleena was exceptionally bright, and she could have been accepted into any university. Shane knew nothing about his "best friend" lately, and the thought troubled him even more than his guilt did.
 
Navigating through the crowd of jubilant graduates, Shane spotted a familiar head of black hair.
 
Aleena was wearing her usual gummy smile, and seeing it again after so long made Shane's heart swell. He hadn't seen that smile in a while. Aleena's parents, standing opposite him, also looked proud and happy, with Damian by their side. Damian, too, was smiling broadly at Aleena's parents.
 
Shane was puzzled but quickly made his way over to the group.
 
Aleena's mother was the first to notice him and greeted him with excitement. "Shane! We haven't seen you in a while! How have you been? How are your parents?"
 
"Hello, mom," Shane replied. "They're fine, and I'm doing well. In fact, they're over there, speaking with Teacher Sam," he added, pointing to his parents a few feet away.
 
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "We must greet them!" She promptly led Aleena's father to Shane's parents, leaving the children alone.
 
Shane turned to Aleena, noticing that Aleena's smile faltered when she saw him.
 
"Aleena, can I talk to you for a moment?" Shane asked, his eyes almost pleading.
 
Shane felt a pang when he saw Damian's concerned look and his leaning in to whisper something in Aleena's ear. Since when did Damian talk? What could he be telling Aleena?
 
Aleena nodded, and Shane released the breath he had been holding. He followed Aleena to a less crowded area, where they stood facing each other in awkward silence.
 
"Alee—"
 
"I—"
 
They both began to speak at the same time. Aleena blushed and motioned for Shane to go first.
 
"Um... Which university are you going to?" Shane blurted out, his thoughts in disarray.
 
Aleena seemed taken aback by the question but replied hesitantly, "Ah... Notthingham University."
 
"Wow... Aleena, that's amazing," Shane said, and Aleena blushed.
 
"Thanks. What about you?"
 
"Manchester."
 
Aleena smiled. "That's amazing too."
 
"Yeah..." Shane trailed off, unsure of how to continue the conversation.
 
"Shane," Aleena said.
 
"Listen, Aleena," Shane interrupted, "I just... I need to apologize."
 
Shane looked frustrated but continued, "It took me a while to realize this, but I've been a terrible friend."
 
"Shane—" Aleena began.
 
"No, I have to say this," Shane insisted, looking into Aleena's eyes. "I was a terrible friend. I ignored you and was completely oblivious to your feelings. I was so self-absorbed that I didn't even notice how my actions were affecting you. I'm so sorry. I took you for granted and failed to see what was right in front of me," Shane confessed, rushing to express his feelings before Aleena decided never to speak to him again.
 
Aleena looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes. "That doesn't change anything, Shane," she said, her voice cracking.
 
"I know," Shane replied, his own voice breaking. "But I couldn't leave without apologizing, Aleena. You'll always be my best friend."
 
"And you'll always be mine," Aleena said softly. "You were my first love, too."
 
Shane couldn't hold back any longer. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he broke down at Aleena's words.
 
Aleena rushed in for a hug, and Shane hugged her tightly, clinging to the fabric of Aleena's robes as he buried his face in Aleena's neck. Tears streamed down both of their cheeks.
 
Shane wished he had cherished this girl earlier, too preoccupied with his feelings for Daisy. Aleena had always been too good for him.
 
As they pulled apart, each wiped away their tears.
 
Aleena smiled, her heart feeling lighter. She had needed closure from Shane, and finally, her unrequited feelings were buried in the past. She would always cherish her memories of her best friend and first love, but now she looked forward to a future with someone else. Someone with dark eyes and a mysterious past, but a radiant smile and a deep, soothing voice.
 
"Goodbye, Shane."
 
"Goodbye... Aleena. Take care whenever you are.”
 
Aleena walked away, returning to where Damian had been patiently waiting for her, the other boy gazing up at the sky with a concerned expression, standing in the very spot where Aleena had left him. Aleena's heart swelled with love for this quiet, understanding boy, and she quickly joined him.
 
Aleena took Damian's hand, leading him to a secluded corner of the school, leaving Damian slightly puzzled.
 
Once they were sure they were alone, Aleena rested her head on Damian's chest, listening to the rhythm of the boy's accelerating heartbeat. It brought a smile to Aleena's face. Damian hesitantly wrapped his arms around Aleena's back, gently stroking it up and down.
 
"Aleena..." Damian cleared his throat, "Are you okay?" he asked.
 
Aleena continued to smile, enfolding her arms around Damian's waist once more, relishing the sound of the other boy's voice.
 
"Yes! I'm just... really happy," Aleena replied, her smile beaming into Damian's chest.
 
Though Aleena couldn't see it, Damian was also smiling widely enough to light up his face.
 
"Me too," Damian whispered.
 
Damian's past had been far from perfect. His father had been abusive, and sometimes he found himself missing his mother so intensely it was hard to breathe. It had taken Damian a long time to accept that his mother's death was not his fault and that his father's abuse wasn't either.
 
Through numerous meetings with Dr. Matthew and heartfelt conversations about his dreams, Damian had come to view the doctor as a sort of parental figure, one who cared far more than his own father ever had. To his surprise, Damian had also gained admission to Nottingham University alongside with Aleena, where he planned to study philosophy.
 
Damian felt hope for the first time in ages.
 
As he gazed down at the girl in his arms, he truly felt happy for the first time in forever.
 
They knew they would be just fine. Finally, they had figured out what to do.