Outside, under the bleachers, Katelyn glanced at Zach, who had been quiet the entire walk there. She could tell something was weighing heavily on him.

“So, what’s up?” she asked, leaning against the cool metal.

Zach shifted uncomfortably, his hands in his pockets. “I don’t really know how to say this…”

Katelyn tilted her head. “Zach, you can tell me anything.”

Zach took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers. “I’ve liked you for a long time, Katie Cat. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.”

Katelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Zach…”

“But now you’re engaged to Lucas,” he continued, his voice strained. “And I don’t know what to do. I had to tell you, even if it’s too late.”

Katelyn blinked, trying to process his words. “You’ve liked me… all this time?”

Zach nodded, looking away. “Yeah. And now it feels like I missed my chance.”

Katelyn felt her heart tug. She cared deeply for Zach as a friend, but her feelings for Lucas were growing stronger by the day. “Zach, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

Zach forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s okay. I just… I needed you to know.”

Katelyn took a step closer, reaching out to touch his arm. “You’ll always be important to me, Zach. But I think Lucas and I… we’re really trying to figure things out. I don’t want to hurt you, but…”

Zach gave a nod, swallowing hard. “I get it. I just needed to get it off my chest.”

Katelyn offered him a small, sad smile. “I’m glad you told me. I don’t want this to be awkward between us.”

Zach’s eyes softened. “It won’t be. I’ll get over it.”

Katelyn’s mind swirled with emotions. She felt torn between her loyalty to a childhood friend and the new feelings she was developing for Lucas.

Katelyn looked back at Zach, her heart heavy with sympathy. “Zach, you know I love you more than anything, but… it’s just as a friend. Even if Lucas hadn’t come along, it would still only be as a friend.”

Zach’s shoulders slumped, his head hanging low. “I get it.”

“I’m so sorry I can’t feel the way you do,” she said softly, her voice filled with genuine regret.

Zach sighed, the weight of unspoken feelings pressing down on him. “It’s okay. I kind of already knew that would be your answer.”

Katelyn took a deep breath, trying to hold onto the connection they had shared for years. “Can we still be friends? I don’t want to lose you in my life.”

Zach managed a halfhearted smile. “Yeah, we can still be friends.”

Relieved, Katelyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Zach hesitated for a moment, but then embraced her back, holding on tightly. As they stood there, someone lurking in the shadows of the bleachers raised a phone and snapped a picture of the intimate moment.

A low, cruel laugh echoed faintly from the dark corner. “Hahaha… we’ll see who loses in the end. You won’t be so happy after I ruin your life.”

Unaware of the shadowy figure, Katelyn pulled back, offering Zach a warm smile. “We all good now?”

Zach nodded, his smile a bit brighter this time. “Yeah, we’re cool.”

“I’m glad we can still hang out and be friends,” Katelyn said, squeezing his arm.

“Me too,” Zach replied, though there was a lingering sadness in his eyes.

As they headed back toward the cafeteria, they spotted Ryder and Samantha, walking hand-in-hand, both of them beaming.

Katelyn’s eyes lit up. “What’s all this?” she asked, grinning.

Ryder grinned back, his arm around Samantha. “Sam and I are dating.”

Katelyn’s smile widened with joy. “Aww, I’m so happy for you two! I knew it would happen sooner or later.”

Ryder shot Zach a quick look, mouthing silently, What happened?

Zach shook his head slightly, mouthing back, She said no.

Ryder gave him an encouraging nod, his expression softening in sympathy. It’s alright, hang in there, his look seemed to say.

Katelyn glanced around, suddenly noticing Lucas wasn’t with them. “Have you guys seen Lucas?”

Samantha shook her head. “Not yet. I think he was still over by the cafeteria.”

“Okay,” Katelyn said, waving as she started to leave. “Catch you guys later. I’m going to find him.”

“Bye, Katie!” Samantha called after her.

“Later, Kate,” Zach added with a small wave.

As Katelyn walked away, Zach watched her go, a pang of longing still tugging at him. But he knew this was the right thing—for both of them.