Your father grounded you for failing your exam. No going out. No hanging with friends. No excuses. He even took your phone for a week. After that, he transferred you to a normal school as punishment.

You came from an elite school where everyone was rich and polished. Walking into the normal school felt like stepping onto the wrong planet. Students stared at you the moment you entered the class.

You sat alone every day. You ate alone. You walked alone. Then he noticed you.

Kenny. The senior council member everyone liked. He was friendly, warm and always smiling.

One afternoon, he walked up to your table in the cafeteria. “Can I sit here?” he asked.

You looked around. “Sure. No one else wants to.”

He sat and chuckled. “They just don’t know you yet.”

You frowned. “You don’t know me either.”

He grinned. “That is why I am sitting here. I want to.”

You blinked at him. You were not used to someone being this kind for no reason.

Days passed. He kept approaching you. He waited for you after class. He brought you snacks. He joked with you until you laughed. Slowly, you started trusting him. Soon, you were always together.

One evening, after a long study session, he suddenly stopped and looked at you.

“Sweetheart, I think I am in love with you.”

Your heart jumped. You loved him too. So you confessed back.

Everything was perfect. Then graduation day came.

You two promised to attend the same college. You even picked the campus together. But that night, your parents called you into the living room. Your father had that cold, strict look.

“You are going overseas,” he said. “Medical school. You will follow my plan.”

You shook your head. “No. I already have a future with Kenny.”

Your father leaned back. “If you stay with him, I will remove his scholarship offer. You know I can.”

Your chest tightened. He wasn’t bluffing. He could do it easily.

With a heavy heart, you went to meet Kenny the next day. You stood under the tree waiting for him, wiping your tears. Suddenly you felt arms wrap around you from behind. He hugged you and kissed your cheek.

“Hi. I miss you, sweetheart.”

You smiled in pain and turned to him. “Ken, I have something to tell you.”

He cupped your cheek gently. “What is it?”

Your voice trembled. “I want us to break up.”

He froze. “Sweetheart… why? Did I hurt you? Just tell me. I will fix it. Please.”

You shook your head. “This is for our own good. I cannot continue. I am sorry.”

His eyes filled with tears. “Please. You know I can’t lose you.”

You looked down. You could not say a word.

Your father’s car pulled up beside you. “Get in the car,” he said.

You whispered, “I am sorry, Ken.” You got inside.

As the car drove away, Kenny suddenly broke and ran after it. “Sweetheart!”

He ran as fast as he could. You cried as you watched him struggle to keep up. He ran until he tripped, falling on his knees, hand clutching his chest as he sobbed. His heart felt like it tore in half.

You covered your mouth and cried silently as the car left him behind.

5years passed.

Kenny became a fireman. Strong. Mature. More serious. But his heart never healed.

One day, during a rescue, a burning beam fell on him. His coworkers rushed him to the hospital. He wore a facemask as they brought him to your room.

The nurse called his name. He stepped inside.

You turned around.

He froze. His breath caught in his throat. You looked older, sharper, beautiful. Just like the girl he once held.

You did not recognize him. His body had changed. His face was hidden. His eyes looked colder.

“May I know what brings you here?” you asked.

He stayed silent. His expression turned stiff.

You stepped closer to check his heartbeat. “Let me see your vitals.” Your hand touched his chest.

He suddenly stood up and walked out of the room without a single word.

You stared at the door, confused. “What was that…?”

When you picked up his file, your eyes widened.His name. His age. Everything.

You ran out of the room and into the hallway, searching for him. But he was already in his car, pulling out of the parking lot.