Chapter-5, After the final bell.

The final bell rang sharply and the school corridors instantly filled with noises and footsteps. Lockers slammed shuts, laughter echoed around the surrounding. The late afternoon sun washed the corridors where students started walking in pace. 

Near the front gate, Lily Hughes stood surrounded by a group of girls. She looked effortlessly beautiful, even in the plain school uniform. Her long black hairs fell in soft curls, shining under the sunlight, her posture remained graceful without even trying. She had the kind of beauty that drew attention naturally- striking sharp features, almost like someone who belonged on magazine covers. Students greeted her as they passed through her, some smiling shyly, while the others whispering after getting far. She was really someone, once seen you can't ignore. 

"Lily, are you waiting again?" One girl teased. 

Lily smiled, trying to hide it. 

"May be," she said softly. 

"You say the same every day." 

"And every day he shows up," another added with a grin. 

Lily lowered her eyes slightly, a faint blush appearing. She didn't deny it. He always come.

Not far from them, under the shade of a mango tree, Elara stood quietly with her best friend, Suzanne, who was her only friend. Unlike Lily, she blended into the background easily. She was simple- her hair tied loosely, her expression soft, her presence calm. She wasn't strikingly beautiful like Lily, but there was a simple and unique prettiness about her - someone understated and easy to miss unless someone looked closely. 

Suzanne nudged her lightly. "You are going home right away?" 

Elara nodded. "Yes...like always." 

Her friend followed her gaze toward Lily's group. "She is waiting for him again." 

Elara didn't answer because she already knew.

Just then, the low hum of an engine rolled into the front gate. 

It was him again. 

Heads started turning towards him. 

A sleek black luxury Jaguar car pulled into the school driveway smoothly. The people communicating with each other slowed, and whispers started spreading instantly. 

"That's Charlie Brown." 

"He came again." 

"He is so handsome," 

"Lily is so lucky." 

The car came to a stop, and Charlie stepped down. 

He looked older than everyone there - taller, composed and confident. His presence drew attention. He was wearing a white shirt with black jeans. He adjusted his sleeves slightly, scanning the crowds, and the moment he spotted Lily his expression softened. 

Lily's face lit up. 

She stepped forward. "You are here." 

"I told you I might come," he said, he was calm but confident. 

"You are late," she teased. 

"I am two minutes early." 

"That's still counts." 

He gave a faint smile. 

Their conversation felt natural, easy like they existed in their own spaces. 

From a distance, Elara watched silently. Her friend, Suzanne, noticed the way her fingers tightened around her books. 

"You don’t have to stand here," she said softly. 

But Elara didn't move. 

Lily glanced past Charlie and noticed her. 

"Oh... sister," she called gently. "You are still here?" 

Charlie followed her gaze, His eyes met Elara's briefly. 

"Hello, Elara," he said politely. 

"...Hello." 

The distance in his tone was unmistakable. 

Lily looked between them, then smiled. "She's going home too. Can we drop her?" 

Charlie nodded without hesitation. "Of Course." 

Elara's friend gave her a small smile. "I'll see you tomorrow." 

Elara nodded and walked through the car quietly taking brief steps. 

Charlie opened the passenger door for Lily. She stepped in gracefully, thanking him softly. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by the students still watching. 

Elara slipped into the back seat, closing the door gently behind her. 

The engine groove, and the car moved forward. 

For a moment, silence filled the space, then Lily leaned slightly toward him. 

"You didn't tell me you were coming today." 

"I was nearby." 

"You are always nearby." 

"Maybe." 

She smiled, pleased. 

From the back seat, Elara watched them through the spaces between the seats. Their shoulders were so close almost touching, their voices low and comfortable. She felt like a third wheel, a listener. 

"Did you eat?" Charlie asked. 

"I didn't like the cafeteria food." 

"You skipped again?" 

"Maybe." 

He reached into the console and pulled a small packet of snack. "Eat this." 

Lily's eyes brightened. "You brought this for me?" 

"You said you liked it last time." 

She nodded at him, smiling slightly. "You remembered everything." 

Charlie didn't reply, but the faint warmth in his expression said enough. 

Elara turned her gaze toward the window, her reflection faintly visible in the glass. 

Lily laughed suddenly."You look a bit serious." 

"Do I?" 

"Yes." She leaned closer and adjusted his collar playfully. "Relax." 

He didn't stop her nor moved away. 

Elara's fingers tightened slighted in her lap. Their closeness felt suffocated for her like always. 

"Are you cold?" He asked Lily, noticing her rubbing her arms. 

"A little." 

He adjusted the air conditioning immediately. "Better?" 

She nodded. 

Not even any of them looked at her as if she was invisible for them. 

The conversation flowed between them softly, with a small laughter, and small comfortable silences. Lily leaned toward him when she spoke, and he listened patiently and occasionally smiling. 

Behind them, Elara sat quietly. Close enough to hear every word and far enough to feel invisible. 

Students, buildings and trees blurred outside the window as the car moved in speed. She watched the passing scenery, her chest tight with something she didn't want to name. 

Charlie laughed softly at something Lily said. 

And Elara realized... he hadn't laughed like that around her in years. 

She immediately lowered her gaze, her heart already heavy with the scene of them. 

She had once walked through fire for him but now, she sat just a few feet away.... 

And he didn't even notice she was there...