The classroom was silent now, the last of the students long gone, but Simon stayed, as he always did, waiting for her. He sat at his desk, his fingers absently tracing the edge of a paper, though his mind was elsewhere. When he heard the familiar creak of the door, he didn’t look up immediately—he didn’t need to. He knew it was her.

“You took your time,” he said, his voice low and warm, as he glanced up to see her standing in the doorway.

She walked toward him, her steps unhurried, and Simon leaned back in his chair, letting himself take her in. When she reached his desk, he reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against hers before letting his hand fall away, careful as always.

“I don’t mind waiting,” he said softly, his eyes meeting hers “As long as it’s for you.”

The corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile, one only she ever got to see. Outside, the world kept turning, but here, in the quiet of the empty classroom, it felt like theirs alone.