Teamo and Natsha stood in a corner of the schoolyard, watching the confession unfolding before them.

Each wore a different expression, carrying a different state of mind.

"Who is that?" Teamo asked.

"A senior. Outstanding academically, and not lacking in sports either." Natsha replied casually.

"Hmm." Teamo narrowed his eyes, making no effort to hide the unconscious irritation rising within him.

In contrast, Natsha showed no sign of rejection or displeasure whatsoever.

Cheers erupted across the schoolyard when Lorena accepted the rose held out by the senior student. No one knew what she had said to him, but he nodded in agreement with obvious delight. 

He waved goodbye to her before leaving, a bright smile resting upon his lips. Lorena waved back as well, continuing until he disappeared from sight.

Then she walked toward her two friends. Both of them greeted her with smiles, though Teamo's smile was noticeably more forced than Natsha's.

"Looks like I won't be walking home with you two as often anymore." Lorena said.

It sounded like a lighthearted tease, yet also a quiet announcement.

"So you're abandoning us already?" Teamo spoke up, trying to join in on the small joke.

"When did I ever abandon you two?" Lorena replied.

Natsha could not help but find their exchange amusing.

"Alright, alright. Give her a little space." Natsha said softly, patting Teamo on the shoulder.

A discreet gaze fell upon Natsha.

The smile that had lingered in those eyes just moments before seemed to fade away, replaced by a quiet stillness that drifted beneath the surface.

////////////////////////////

Whenever he saw the intimate moments between the two of them, Teamo could never hide the trace of jealousy in his heart.

When she spoke of how good that senior was, of how talented he was, Teamo's eyes always held the implication of something called loss.

Natsha remained unchanged, listening attentively to every word she said.

She still always looked at Lorena with gentle eyes.

////////////////////////////

Upon hearing the news that she and that senior had broken up, the person who felt the most relieved was undoubtedly Teamo. But that did not mean he wanted to see the girl he liked crying.

Lorena sat between Teamo and Natsha. She simply let her tears fall silently, one drop after another.

Two pairs of sorrowful eyes remained fixed on her. She sniffled, and a tissue was offered to her by Natsha. Lorena took it and held it in the palm of her hand.

Teamo extended his hand. Resting in his palm was a small cake wrapped in transparent packaging.

===============================

"Remember to smile a little brighter! And don't forget to wave at me!" Lorena whispered into the senior's ear.

Outwardly, he smiled radiantly, even though the conversation between them was far from being that pleasant.

"Alright. You should put on a better performance too." The senior replied, keeping the same practiced smile as his lips moved slightly.

The two of them continued acting out a scene of sweet affection.

When she walked toward Teamo and Natsha, neither of them made any effort to hide what they were feeling. Yet she was not satisfied with the outcome before her.

Why was it that not even the slightest trace of displeasure appeared on Natsha's face. Meanwhile, Teamo's reaction was so obvious.

Had Lorena misunderstood? A fleeting hint of disappointment flashed through her eyes.

/////////////////////////////

Lorena lightly applied a thin layer of medicated oil around her eyes. Not long after, her tear ducts could no longer be controlled, and tears began to fall one drop after another.

Lorena sat between the two of them, letting the tears continue to stream down her face. All she had to do was sob a few times.

Natsha remained as considerate as ever, and Teamo was no less so. Yet mixed within Teamo's heartache, Lorena could still see a trace of relief.

As for Natsha, there was nothing but deep heartache. Heartache for her reddened eyes. Heartache for a love that had only just begun to bloom, yet had already withered away in haste. A love that had made Lorena understand what the word "pain" truly meant.

It was as though the curve at the corner of her lips would become the smile in Natsha's eyes.

As though whenever a trace of sorrow appeared in her eyes, there would no longer be a sky full of sunshine within Natsha.