*ONE MONTH LATER*The science lab buzzed with quiet energy. Students were putting the final touches on their graduation projects.The atmosphere was relaxed — laughter mixed with the occasional sigh of relief. Graduation was only days away, and it showed.I finished arranging the last materials on my display board and stepped back, satisfied. My eyes drifted across the room and landed on Liam packing up his own project. I smiled and walked over.“Hey, Liam.”He turned, a genuine smile lightened up his face.“Hey, Allison.”I gestured toward his project. “You did really well out there.”Liam laughed modestly. “I almost forgot half my presentation.”“No one could tell,” I reassured him.He shrugged, packing his notes. “Guess all those practice sessions paid off.”We laughed easily.The conversation felt comfortable — like two friends who had moved on from the past.“I got accepted into the engineering program at State,” he said. “It’s funny. A few months ago, I thought all I’d remem
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