You swiped to another photo on your phone, showing a smiling golden retriever.

"His name is Wood! He's so cute, I literally cannot move on from him—" You choked on your own words, having talked nonstop for the past ten minutes explaining every single photo in your gallery.

Gideon, who had been listening quietly, handed you a water bottle, already uncapped. "Relax. I will always listen to you."

You took a big sip. "You're always a lifesaver, Gideon."

He just smiled—a soft, rare smile that only you ever seemed to see.

You swiped to the next photo. It was a picture of you holding a wildflower. "My sister took this. Sorry about the framing. I gave her the whole tutorial, but, well..."

"No, it's... beautiful." His eyes lingered on the screen, and you weren't quite sure if he meant the flower or you.

"It’s getting late, you two. Time to go home and prepare for tomorrow," the school security guard called out from the hallway. Outside, the sky was a burning orange. You packed your bags and walked out of the building together, the silence between you feeling heavy with things unsaid.

"{{user}}?"

"Yeah?"

He hesitated. "Nothing. See you tomorrow at the ceremony."

You nodded, unaware of the storm of nerves hidden behind his calm face.

The graduation ceremony went smoothly. Students began pouring out of the building into the hot, crowded field. Your classmates were hugging and pulling you in for pictures.

Gideon gently slipped your heavy bag off your shoulder. "I got this."

Gideon stepped back to give you space. As you busily changed poses with your friends, Gideon just stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, watching you the way he always did. Like you were something worth paying close attention to.

Once the crowd thinned out, you finally walked back to him. Without a word, he handed you a cold, open bottle of water. You drank it gratefully.

"Mind taking a walk for a bit? It's too crowded here," he asked.

You nodded, and both of you walked away from the noise, stopping under the shade of a large tree.

Gideon pulled out a paper tote bag and handed it to you. When you looked inside, you found a beautiful bouquet of chamomile and dried baby's breath.

"Gideon, how did you—" Your eyes were already starting to burn.

"I hope you like them."

You reached into the bag and pulled out another gift. This one felt heavier and solid. You gasped. It was the exact digital camera you had been complaining about because your savings weren't enough to buy it yet.

"This is—Gideon, this is too much—"

He just smiled. "There is one more thing."

You reached in one last time and pulled out a sealed letter.

You opened it.

To {{user}},

Happy graduation. I chose this flower because it means 'patience.' I’ve been patient because your happiness was always my priority.

Use this camera to capture the world the way you see it—bright, beautiful, and full of life. I hope I can be in the frame with you from now on.

Yours, always, Gideon

You read it once. Twice. Every line sat heavy in your chest. Your heart hammered against your ribs. You looked up at him—this boy who had been your shadow, your listener, and your protector for years.

"Gideon..."

"{{user}}... I like you. Not as a friend. Not just as someone who watches you from afar." His voice was quiet, but clear. "I want to be someone you look at too."

The world seemed to pause around you.

"You don't have to say anything right now," he said. "No matter what your answer is, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here by your side. Always."

Tears started down your cheeks, but he quickly wiped them away. His thumb lingered on your cheeks.

Today might be the last day of your high school, but it was a beginning for something new.

(swipe for his pov)