Michelle hadn't planned to see him.
She didn't even respond to the message. But something about knowing Ryan was physically there — somewhere on her campus — made her skin crawl and her chest tighten. Every hallway seemed longer. Every face more suspicious.
She didn't tell Steve.Not yet.
And then it happened.
She was leaving the library alone, a stack of books in her arms, when she saw him.
Standing by the stone fountain in the courtyard.
Ryan.
Same messy brown hair. That familiar crooked grin. As if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't disappeared without explanation, ripping two years of shared moments away like they meant nothing.
"Michelle," he said, like her name still belonged to him.
She stopped in her tracks. "What are you doing here?"
He shrugged. "Just… in town. I saw your name. Figured I'd stop by and talk."
She blinked, trying to understand. "You ghosted me. You left. Without a word. And now you want to talk?"
"I messed up," he said, stepping closer. "I got scared, alright? But I never stopped thinking about you."
Michelle took a step back. Her voice was shaking. "You don't get to come back like this. You don't get to act like—like we're still something. I'm with someone. Someone who actually shows up."
That's when Steve's voice cut through the air.
"Is that him?"
Michelle turned.
Steve was standing just a few feet away, a water bottle still in hand, his gym bag slung over his shoulder — but his eyes were locked on Ryan, dark and unreadable.
She didn't know how much he'd heard.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "So you're the new guy?"
"I'm the guy who doesn't disappear," Steve said flatly, walking toward Michelle. He placed a hand on her back without hesitation. "We done here?"
Ryan looked between them — something flickering in his eyes. Regret? Ego? Jealousy?
"Guess so," he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking away like he hadn't just thrown a stone into still water.
Silence lingered after he left.
Michelle turned to Steve, nerves rising in her throat. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want him to matter."
Steve looked at her for a long moment. Then, gently, "But he does. At least a little."
She nodded slowly. "He used to. But not anymore."
Steve studied her face. "I'm not mad. I just… wish I'd known."
"I know," she whispered. "I was scared it would stir up things. But seeing him again — it didn't make me feel anything except lucky that I'm not with him anymore."
Steve's shoulders relaxed slightly.
He reached for her hand, brushing his thumb across her knuckles. "You sure you're okay?"
Michelle nodded, tears threatening. "I just need you to believe me."
"I do," he said softly. "Always."
They didn't talk much after that. They didn't need to.
They just walked back to the dorms, hand in hand, hearts a little bruised — but stronger than before.