Katelyn looked up as Lucas entered the room, her face lighting up the moment she saw him. “Hey, is everything okay?”

Lucas smiled, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface. “Yeah, why?”

“You were gone for a long time,” Katelyn said, her voice laced with concern.

Lucas hesitated for a second, not wanting to bring Lucy into their conversation just yet. “I just ran into someone.”

“Who?” Katelyn asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“No one important,” Lucas said quickly. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

Katelyn gave him a small, curious smile but decided to let it go. “Okay.”

Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. “Let’s eat outside for lunch today. We need to talk.”

Katelyn’s heart skipped a beat. “Okay,” she said, her voice quiet. “You’re not mad at me, are you?”

Lucas stopped walking and turned to her, his expression softening. “Why would I be mad? I love you, Katie.”

Katelyn’s face broke into a smile, her worries melting away. “I love you too.”

Lucas kissed her forehead. “Let’s finish up here, and then we can go eat.”

Katelyn nodded, and they spent the rest of the class in quiet contentment, though the conversation looming at lunch lingered in the back of her mind.

———————————————————————————

As they met up with Samantha and Ryder in the hallway after class, Lucas gently squeezed Katelyn’s hand. “Hey, I need to talk to Katelyn at lunch today, so we can’t eat with you guys.”

Ryder glanced between them, concern flashing across his face. “Everything okay?”

Katelyn smiled, reassuring him. “We’re fine. Just some personal stuff.”

Samantha, ever the romantic, winked at Katelyn. “Enjoy your lunch!” she said with a grin, before tugging Ryder’s arm. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

Ryder stumbled after her, laughing. “I’m coming! Don’t pull so hard.”

Samantha rolled her eyes playfully. “Dummy.”

Ryder blinked, looking confused. “What?!”

“I said dummy,” Samantha repeated with a laugh. “Can’t you see they want to spend time alone?”

Ryder’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, I get it now.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Sometimes I’m slow.”

Samantha sighed dramatically. “Ugh, sometimes I swear you are.”

Ryder leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Yeah, but you still like me.”

Samantha blushed, smiling up at him. “Yeah… I still like you.”