Chapter 8

Chapter 8 — The Day We Found Our Way Back

I came back home feeling sad.

I tried my best to hide it, but somehow, my dad noticed.

I don't know how he always managed to notice my mood even when I didn't say anything. Maybe parents just have a way of knowing when something is wrong with their children.

That evening, he came home carrying a cake and a box of chocolate-chip cookies.

My favourite.

I looked at him and smiled.

"Thank you, Dad."

He simply smiled back.

For a moment, I forgot everything that had happened at school.

I thanked God silently for giving me a family that could make even my worst days feel a little better.

After eating some cake and cookies with my family, I went to my room.

The moment I closed the door, I knew what I needed to do.

It was time to open my diary.

Whenever I felt sad, confused, or simply had too many thoughts in my head, I wrote in my diary. Since I didn't have many friends I could tell everything to, my diary had become my closest friend.

I could write anything there.

Nobody judged me.

Nobody told me I was being too emotional.

Nobody told me I was overreacting.

I opened it and started writing about everything that had happened that day.

After a few lines, I turned the page.

At the top of the next page, I had written:

23 October — nina's Birthday.

I suddenly stopped.

"Oh my God!"

Nina's birthday is tomorrow.

I had completely forgotten.

I quickly checked the date again.

Yes.

Tomorrow.

I smiled and started writing her a birthday letter.

While we were on the trip, I had bought a cherry-red scarf for her. I had packed it carefully in my bag because I wanted to give it to her on her birthday.

After finishing the letter, I kept the scarf beside my school bag so I wouldn't forget it.

I studied for about an hour that evening.

Then, without even realizing it, I fell asleep.

---

The Next Morning

A new morning.

A new day.

Winter was getting closer, and the mornings had started becoming colder.

The warm sunlight coming through my window felt strangely comforting.

I got ready for school, packed nina's gift, and looked at myself in the mirror.

Today, I had made a decision.

I wasn't going to talk to James.

Not today.

Maybe I needed some time to understand my own feelings.

When I reached school, I entered the classroom quietly.

Michael was already there.

He looked at me and smiled.

"Hey, Yuri. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm good."

He looked at me for a second.

"So... you're still not talking to James?"

I shook my head.

"No."

He smiled.

"I guess you really needed some time."

I nodded.

Then he became a little serious.

I looked at him.

"

I stayed quiet for a moment.

it's okay to give yourself some time. Everything will be fine."

I was surprised.

Michael had said it so casually, but his words felt comforting.

"Thank you."

He smiled.

"You're welcome."

We started talking about our project, and somehow the conversation moved toward his past.

I asked about his breakup.

His expression changed.

"My girlfriend cheated on me."

I felt bad for him.

"Oh..."

He shrugged, trying to act like it didn't matter anymore.

"It happened a while ago."

"But you really liked her, didn't you?"

He nodded.

"Yeah. I really did."

I didn't know what to say.

Sometimes, people smiled even when their hearts were still hurting.

Before I could say anything else, Nick suddenly looked around the classroom.

"Jack, where's James?"

Jack shrugged.

"Oh, he isn't coming today."

"Why?"

"He's not feeling well."

My heart suddenly sank.

James isn't coming today?

I looked down at my desk.

Why was I thinking about him?

I had decided not to talk to him.

He didn't love me.

And I didn't love him.

At least, that's what I told myself.

So why did I suddenly feel worried?

I hadn't even texted him.

Before I could think any further, Lily entered the classroom.

Everyone immediately started wishing her.

"Happy birthday, Nina !"

"Happy birthday!"

She smiled brightly.

"Thank you!"

Lia, lily , and I gave her her gifts.

When she opened mine, she pulled out the cherry-red scarf.

Her eyes immediately lit up.

"Oh my God, Yuri! I love this!"

She held it against herself.

"This is exactly the kind of scarf I've been wanting!"

She hugged me.

"You know me so well."

I laughed.

"Of course I do."

Then Nina suddenly clapped her hands.

"Okay, everyone, attention!"

We all looked at her.

"Today, after five, I'm having a house party. Everyone is coming!"

Everyone cheered.

Then she pointed at us.

"And especially you three—bookworm Yuri, Michael, and..."

She looked around.

"James."

I froze for a moment.

Then she continued,

"You guys have to come."

"Me?" I asked.

"Yes, you!"

I laughed.

"Okay."

I couldn't say no.

It was Nina's birthday, after all.

And tomorrow was Sunday, so there was no school the next day.

We decided we would all go.

But as soon as the plan was finalized, I remembered James again.

Where is he?

I immediately got annoyed with myself.

Why am I thinking about him?

He doesn't love me.

And I don't love him.

Right?

---

After all our lectures were finished, I went straight home.

The moment I entered my room, I picked up my phone.

And then I froze.

"Oh my God!"

There were twenty missed calls.

And so many messages.

All from James.

I opened the latest message.

«"I'm sorry, Yuri. I was just joking yesterday. Even though you're not my girlfriend yet, I still feel uncomfortable when I see you with someone else. I trust you, you know that. I just can't imagine someone else being close to you. Those girls were only asking me some doubts, that's why I was talking to them. I never wanted to hurt you. I'm really sorry that you cried because of me."»

I stared at the message for a long time.

My heart felt strangely warm.

I finally typed:

"It's okay."

His reply came almost immediately.

"You came back from school?"

I checked the time.

3 p.m.

"Yes."

Then another message appeared.

"Can I call you?"

I smiled.

"After I get ready."

"Okay."

I quickly got ready.

About half an hour later, I wore my denim shorts and the crop top Nina had recently gifted me.

Nina was always like that.

Whenever she saw something she thought would look good on someone, she simply gave it to them.

She was genuinely sweet.

I looked at myself in the mirror, then picked up my phone.

"Done. You can call now."

His reply came immediately.

"FaceTime?"

"Okay."

My phone rang.

I answered.

"Hi."

James smiled.

"Hi."

Then he looked at me for a second.

"Wow."

"What?"

"You look hot."

I immediately covered my face.

"What?!"

He laughed.

"No, seriously."

I had never really received compliments like that before.

Especially not from someone who made me feel the way James did.

Then his smile faded.

"Yuri... I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I should have understood you better."

We talked for a long time.

We talked about what had happened.

I told him about why the word overreacting hurt me so much.

I told him about things from my childhood that I had never really explained to him before.

He listened quietly.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said.

"I just don't want anyone to misunderstand me like that again."

He nodded.

"It won't happen again."

I smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

He laughed softly.

"I was sad earlier."

"Because of me?"

"Maybe."

I smiled.

"But then I went with my father for some business work. We went outside for a while, and I started feeling better."

He looked at the screen.

"And now I'm talking to you, so I'm completely fine."

I laughed.

"You're so dramatic."

"Maybe."

We continued talking until the conversation slowly became lighter.

Then he suddenly said,

"I'll come pick you up for Lily's party."

I blinked.

"What?"

"I'll pick you up."

I hesitated.

Usually, Lia dropped me off and picked me up from parties.

But today, my mom was going to my aunt's house, and my dad would be at the office.

I had already asked my dad for permission to stay out for the party as long as I came home before eleven.

For the first time, I realized I could actually rely on James.

"Okay," I finally said.

His smile became wider.

"Okay?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll come."

After ending the call, I stared at my phone.

Something about today felt different.

Yesterday, I had been hurt and angry.

Today, we had talked.

We had understood each other a little better.

And now, he was coming to pick me up.

I didn't know what the evening would bring.

I had never really been the kind of girl who stayed out late for parties.

But this was Nina's birthday.

And for the first time, I was going somewhere with James.

Maybe this was another small beginning.

Not a perfect one.

Not a fairy-tale one.

Just two people learning how to understand each other.

And somehow, that felt even more special.