Chapter 52 Shadows Of Us

Author's Preface

[ 13 Years Ago]

The afternoon bell at St. Claire’s Academy rings at three-thirty, sending a rush of students in navy blazers down the stone steps.

Standing near the iron gate by the school café, fifteen-year-old James shifts his weight, his hands buried in his trouser pockets as he watches the students leave.

"Hey! Merren!"

A shoulder bumps his, and James turns to see Jeremy slinging an arm over his shoulder, holding a half-eaten pretzel.

"Still standing guard?" Jeremy teases, following James’s gaze toward the heavy doors.

"You’ve been here fifteen minutes. Waiting for your girlfriend?"

James feels his face warm and elbows Jeremy’s arm away.

"She’s not my girlfriend, Jeremy. Shut up."

Jeremy laughs, taking a bite of his pretzel.

"Right. Come on, everyone knows you two are practically dating except you guys."

Jeremy leans in with a sly smirk.

"Besides, I saw a varsity senior asking about her near the lockers earlier. If she's really single like you keep claiming, you better make a move—or don't come crying to me when someone else steps up."

James grips his shoulder bag more firmly.

"We’re just getting food. Mind your own business."

"Whatever you say, Merren."

Jeremy grins and waves as he backs toward the bus stop.

"Don't say I didn't warn you!"

[ *** ]

Moments later, through the cluster of students spilling out the main gate, James catches sight of her.

Annie’s dark hair is pulled into a loose ponytail, a few strands framing her face as she laughs with her friends.

"Annie!" James calls out.

She breaks off mid-sentence and turns toward him, smiling when she sees him.

"Wait up, guys, I'm heading out!" she calls over her shoulder, jogging straight toward him.

She slows as she reaches him, slightly out of breath.

"Hey! Did you wait long? PE went over because Coach made us run extra laps."

"Not long."

James takes her heavy canvas bag from her shoulder and slings it over his own. "PE again?"

"Running in circles is actual torture," Annie groans, walking beside him toward the main avenue.

"If we don't get food soon, I might collapse right here on the sidewalk."

He lets out a quiet laugh.

"The bus is coming. We'll be at the diner in ten minutes."

They catch the bus, sitting side by side as it rumbles down the crowded street.

Annie chatters effortlessly about her classes while James listens, his eyes soft as he watches her animated gestures.

[ *** ]

At their usual diner, they settle into the booth near the front window.

When their food arrives, he cuts two chicken cutlets from his plate and moves them onto hers.

"James, you don't have to give me half your food every time," she says, though her eyes sparkle.

"You ran extra laps. Eat," he replies easily.

Annie grins, pulling out her phone.

"Hold on. Smile!"

She snaps a quick photo before he can look away, catching the shy smile he tries to hide.

[ *** ]

The walk home follows in comfortable familiarity until they reach the quiet residential street leading toward their neighborhood—the same block where they used to race their bicycles as kids.

The evening light casts long shadows down the pavement.

Annie slows her steps, looking at him sideways.

"James?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you alright?" She stops under the shade of a tree, her dark eyes filled with concern.

"You’ve been unusually quiet for weeks now. Is something wrong?"

James catches his breath, feeling exposed under her gaze.

"It's nothing. Just tired from studying."

"You're a terrible liar, James," Annie says gently.

She steps closer, taking both his hands in hers.

"You know you can share anything with me, right? I'm always going to be here."

He looks down at their joined hands.

She has held his hand since they were toddlers, yet now he finds himself afraid of what might happen if he tells her how he feels.

Jeremy’s warning echoes in his head.

James has loved Annie for years, and the thought of someone else asking her out makes him realise he can't keep hiding it.

But confessing could cost him the friendship he treasures most.

He swallows hard, his heart hammering against his ribs.

He squeezes her hands.

"Annie... it's not school."

She holds her breath, searching his face.

"It's you," James confesses, the words spilling out in a quiet, unsteady rush before he can stop himself.

"It's been you for years. Since before I even knew how to say it. I don't just see you as my best friend, Annie. I'm in love with you."

For a moment, neither of them speaks.

James looks down at their joined hands, his stomach sinking as he waits for her to respond.

What did I just do?

Jeremy had pushed him into saying what he'd kept hidden for years.

Now James could only imagine Annie pulling away, leaving him with neither the friendship nor the relationship he'd hoped for.

Then Annie moves, catching him off guard.

Instead of pulling her hands back or stepping away, she wraps her arms around his neck and buries her face into his shoulder, letting out a soft laugh.

James freezes, unsure what to make of her laughter until her words finally register.

"You idiot," she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion.

"I thought you were never going to say it."

The suffocating panic in his chest collapses into a sudden, overwhelming wave of relief.

He wraps his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

"Are you serious?"

Annie pulls back slightly, her eyes shining in the fading light.

"Completely serious, James."

James looks at her, his pulse racing for an entirely different reason now.

He reaches up, his thumb gently coming to rest on her cheek.

Neither moves away.

He looks at her lips, then meets her eyes again, still unsure whether to close the distance between them.