"I apologize."
I lowered my gaze, my voice soft.
Benicio frowned, "It's not me you should apologize to. You owe Adalynn an apology."
"Okay."
Perhaps I replied too quickly, too resolutely. He seemed caught off guard.
His frown deepened, and his intense eyes stayed on me, as if he had more to say but couldn't quite express it. In the end, he just let out a simple "hmm."
I didn't meet his gaze as I turned and headed towards Adalynn's classroom.
Adalynn, Benicio, and I were in different classes. Usually, during breaks, lunch, or on our way home, Adalynn would find Benicio and me, and the three of us would walk together. I had always thought of us as good friends.
But now, I realized I was like an awkward third wheel, always in the middle, hindering their time together. Maybe they'd been silently annoyed at my obliviousness all along.
Now that I understood, I wasn't going to intrude anymore.
For the next few days, I avoided having lunch with them in the café. After school, I found excuses to stay behind, steering clear of walking home with them. When they planned a weekend trip to the library, even though Adalynn invited me, I declined.
Maybe my abrupt withdrawal was too obvious.
Benicio finally noticed.
When Adalynn stopped by after school to get us, and I mentioned I hadn't finished my assignments, Benicio approached me at my desk.
"Which assignment are you behind on?"
His question was sharp, unsettling me.
I felt a bit guilty, "A lot."
"How much is a lot? You've been working for days and still aren't finished?"
"I'm slow; I can't write quickly."
"If you're struggling, why didn't you ask me for help?"
Benicio's persistent questioning stirred emotions I had been trying to bury, leaving me unable to hide them.
Just as I was about to lose my composure, Adalynn walked in and interrupted, "Benicio, why are you giving Lilian a hard time?"
Adalynn took my hand, "Forget about the assignments today; it's Benicio's birthday. Aren't you coming?"
At the mention of his birthday, I froze.
Benicio's cool gaze was still on me, as if disappointed I had forgotten such an important day.
In the end, Adalynn led me away to join them.
