Leia was in her final year of high school, just a few months away from graduation and the all-important college entrance exams. The weight of the future loomed over her like a storm cloud, but there was one thing that remained constant which was her silent admiration for the boy sitting in front of her.

Nathan.

For three years, Leia had been watching him. Ever since the first day of high school, when their eyes had briefly met across the classroom, she had felt something inexplicable stir inside her. It wasn’t just his looks, though he was undeniably handsome, with sharp features, a straight nose, and those deep, contemplative eyes that always seemed lost in thought. No, it was something more. It was the quiet way he carried himself, the way he seemed both distant and yet deeply grounded, as if he lived in a world of his own.

Nathan was the kind of person who made hard work look effortless. He excelled in every subject, always at the top of the class, always solving complex equations with a calm ease that left everyone else scrambling to keep up. Leia admired that about him. She admired the way he never boasted about his intelligence, never looked down on others, but simply focused on improving himself.

She wished she had the courage to talk to him.

But every time she thought about it, anxiety gripped her like a vice. What would she even say? What if he thought she was foolish? What if he barely noticed her?

So instead, Leia did what she had always done, she watched.

She noticed the little things about him, the things most people overlooked. The way he would tap his pen against his notebook when he was deep in thought. The way he pushed up his sleeves when he was about to focus. The way his eyes softened just a little when he talked about something he was passionate about.

And she knew his story.

Nathan had grown up in a single-parent household. His mother worked tirelessly, running a small café to support them both. While other students went home after school to relax, Nathan went straight to the café, helping his mom run the place before coming home to study late into the night.

Leia couldn’t imagine how difficult that must have been. But Nathan never complained. He never asked for sympathy. He simply worked hard, determined to carve out a future for himself and his mother.

That kind of strength… it made Leia’s heart ache with admiration.

Then, one day, she was pulled from her quiet world of observation by a voice that made her heart sink.

“Nathan, I don’t understand this question,” Lina, the school’s most popular girl, said, effortlessly sliding into the seat beside him.

Leia’s grip tightened around her pen. Lina was beautiful, confident, the kind of girl who could talk to anyone without hesitation. The kind of girl who could sit beside Nathan as if she belonged there.

Nathan, as expected, didn’t turn her away. He never turned anyone away. Patiently, he leaned over and explained the problem, his voice calm and even.

Leia tried to focus on her own work, but the words blurred together.

She envied Lina. Not because of her beauty, not because she was popular, but because she had the courage to speak to Nathan without fear.

Then, just when Leia thought her heart couldn’t ache any more, it did.

It happened after school, when she was on her way to the library. She turned a corner and stopped abruptly.

A girl from another class was standing in front of Nathan, her hands clenched tightly by her sides.

“Nathan, I like you,” the girl said, her voice shaking slightly but filled with sincerity.

Leia’s breath caught in her throat.

For a moment, Nathan was silent. His expression was unreadable. Then, in a voice as calm as ever, he replied:

“You’re still young. Have you really thought this through? I come from a single-parent family. Every day after school, I help my mom run her café. I don’t have time or money for dates. I can’t afford fancy gifts or expensive dinners. Are you sure that’s the kind of boyfriend you want?”

Leia’s chest tightened.

The girl in front of him looked stunned, as if she hadn’t expected such a response. After a few seconds, she bit her lip, lowered her head, and walked away without another word.

Nathan didn’t watch her leave. He simply sighed, adjusted the strap of his bag, and kept walking, as if nothing had happened.

Leia stood frozen in place.

Her heart was pounding, not just from what she had witnessed, but from the thoughts racing through her mind.

I don’t care about any of that, she thought. I don’t care if you don’t have time, if you’re always busy, if you can’t buy gifts or take me out. I don’t need any of that. I just want to be by your side.

But the words stayed locked in her heart, just as they always had.

One evening after school, as Leia walked past Nathan’s mother’s café, she noticed something unusual. The place was packed with customers, and his mother was the only one managing everything. The scent of freshly brewed tea and sizzling food filled the air, but so did the impatient murmurs of customers who had been waiting too long. A few of them were starting to complain, their voices tinged with frustration.

Leia’s chest tightened at the sight. Nathan’s mother looked exhausted, her movements hurried as she tried to juggle everything on her own.

She didn’t hesitate.

Without a second thought, she stepped inside, setting her backpack down before walking toward the overwhelmed woman.

"Hello, Auntie! Let me help you," Leia said with a warm smile.

Nathan’s mother, slightly startled, looked up and recognized Leia’s school uniform. There was a flicker of hesitation in her tired eyes before she sighed in relief.

"I’m so sorry to trouble you," she said, though her voice carried genuine gratitude.

"It’s no trouble at all!" Leia reassured her, puutung down her school bag before diving into the chaos.

Leia adapted quickly. She greeted customers with a bright smile, took down orders efficiently, and cleared tables with swift hands. The once-disgruntled customers began to settle, their irritation melting away as Leia helped keep things running smoothly. The clatter of dishes, the hum of conversation, and the rhythmic chopping from the kitchen blended into a steady rhythm, and soon, the café felt warm and welcoming again.

Nathan’s mother watched Leia with admiration. There was a quiet sincerity in her actions, an unspoken kindness that touched her deeply.

Leia, on the other hand, felt something new, something that filled her with quiet joy. Helping Nathan’s family, even in this small way, made her feel closer to him. Even if he wasn’t here, even if he didn’t know, it didn’t matter.

By the time the last customer left and the café had regained its usual peacefulness, Leia let out a soft breath, stretching her tired arms.

Nathan’s mother wiped her hands on her apron and walked up to her with a grateful smile.

"Thank you for today. You’re such a wonderful girl," she said warmly. "By the way, what’s your name?"

Leia smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Auntie, I’m Leia. And really, it was nothing. I just happened to pass by and saw you struggling, so I wanted to help. Doesn’t Nathan usually assist you?"

Nathan’s mother sighed. "He does, but he recently took on a tutoring job. He wants to save up some money, so there are a few days when he won’t be able to come."

Leia hesitated before saying, "Auntie, if you don’t mind, I can help out when Nathan isn’t here."

Nathan’s mother’s eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble you. You have your college entrance exams coming up, don’t you?"

Leia shook her head. "It’s really okay! I’d love to help."

After a moment, Nathan’s mother finally nodded, touched by Leia’s kindness. "Then I’ll gratefully accept. Thank you, Leia."

Leia hesitated for a second before adding, "Just one thing… please don’t tell Nathan that I’m helping out. I don’t want him to think I’m meddling in his family’s affairs."

Nathan’s mother chuckled knowingly. "Alright, I won’t say a word."

******

From that day on, Leia came to help at the café three times a week. She gradually learned the regular customers' orders, helped experiment with new menu ideas, and even stayed behind to chat with Nathan’s mother while closing up.

Over time, they grew close.

One evening, as Leia wiped down the tables, she casually asked, "Auntie, do you know which university Nathan is planning to apply to?"

Nathan’s mother smiled with pride. "His goal is Qilin University."

Leia wasn’t surprised. Nathan had always been brilliant. Of course, he would aim for one of the best universities in the country.

But a quiet pang of reality hit her.

She knew her own academic level. She had worked hard, but she wasn’t at the top of the class like Nathan. The idea of being able to attend Qilin University with him was nothing more than a distant dream.

Her heart sank, just a little.

Still, she forced a smile. "That suits him. He deserves it."

Nathan’s mother gave her a knowing look but didn’t press further.

Then, one evening, out of nowhere, she asked, "Leia, do you like Nathan’s?"

Leia froze mid-step, nearly dropping the dish she was holding. Her cheeks burned. "Auntie, why would you ask that?"

Nathan’s mother let out a soft laugh. "I can tell. The way you care about him… it’s different. Nathan is lucky to be liked by a girl like you."

Leia bit her lip, her heart hammering. "You’re too kind, Auntie. But… Nathan is way out of my league. He’s too perfect. I don’t think I’d ever be good enough for him."

Nathan’s mother shook her head. "Silly girl. No one is out of anyone’s league when it comes to the heart. So, when are you planning to confess?"

Leia hesitated, then let out a soft, bitter chuckle. "We’ve been in the same class for three years, and we’ve never even had a proper conversation. I doubt he even knows who I am. There’s no point in confessing."

Nathan’s mother sighed. "Leia, don’t let regret follow you for the rest of your life. No matter the outcome, be brave enough to say what’s in your heart. I’ll be cheering for you."

That night, as Leia lay in bed staring at the ceiling, her heart was filled with uncertainty.

And yet, she made a decision.

After the college entrance exams, at the graduation ceremony, she would tell Nathan how she felt.

No matter what happened, she wouldn’t regret it.

The entrance exams came and went in a blur.

Leia buried herself in her studies, pushing aside all distractions, all emotions and everything except her determination to do well. She told herself that once the exams were over, once the weight of endless revision and late-night cramming sessions was finally lifted, she would have the courage to tell Nathan how she felt.

It was the only thing that kept her going.

The day of the graduation ceremony arrived, bringing with it an atmosphere of bittersweet celebration. The school was alive with excitement of students in their uniforms for the last time, taking photos, exchanging yearbooks, and scribbling farewell messages filled with promises to stay in touch. Laughter rang through the halls, and teachers gave nostalgic speeches about the bright futures awaiting them.

Leia clutched her yearbook close to her chest, scanning the crowd with a nervous anticipation that made her heart race. She had imagined this moment so many times. She had played out every possible scenario in her head like how she would walk up to Nathan, how she would call his name, how she would finally let go of her fears and tell him the words she had been keeping inside for so long.

But he was nowhere to be found.

At first, she told herself that maybe he was just running late. Nathan wasn’t the type to skip something as important as graduation. He was responsible, meticulous and he had been working so hard for this day.

But as the ceremony went on, as names were called and certificates were handed out, the sinking feeling in her stomach grew heavier.

Nathan never came.

Leia’s fingers tightened around the yearbook. Her eyes darted through the sea of students, hoping and praying to see his familiar figure, but all she found were unfamiliar faces, smiling and laughing as they celebrated their last day of high school.

Her heart pounded. This wasn’t like him.

After the ceremony, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the schoolyard buzzed with students taking their final photos together, Leia could no longer ignore the unease gnawing at her. Without thinking twice, she grabbed her things and headed straight for the café.

Maybe he was there. Maybe he had skipped the ceremony to help his mother. Maybe she would find him in his usual spot, sleeves rolled up, taking orders or wiping down tables.

But when she arrived, the sight before her stopped her dead in her tracks.

The café was closed.

There was no welcoming glow from the lights inside, no faint hum of conversation, no comforting scent of tea and warm food drifting from the door. The place that had once been so full of life was now eerily silent.

And then she saw it.

A sign on the door.

"Permanently Closed."

Leia stared at it, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.

Closed? Why? What happened?

Her hands trembled as she reached out and lightly pressed her palm against the cold glass of the door, as if that would somehow bring her closer to an answer. But there was nothing, no explanation, no note, nothing to tell her where Nathan or his mother had gone.

She took a step back, her chest tightening with an emotion she couldn't quite name.

Disappointment. Confusion.

Loss.

What was supposed to be a day of endings and new beginnings had turned into something else entirely.

Nathan had vanished from her life without a single word.

Days passed. Then weeks.

Summer faded, and university began. Life moved forward, dragging Leia along with it, even as she found herself glancing at the café every time she walked by, hoping somehow that the sign would be gone, that the doors would be open again, that she would see Nathan inside, just as he had always been.

But the café remained dark. Silent. Empty.

And Nathan never returned.

Leia carried his absence like an ache in her heart.

She often wondered what she would have said to him that day. How he would have reacted. Would he have been surprised? Would he have smiled? Would he have rejected her, or would he have reached out and held onto the feelings she had guarded for so long?

She would never know.

Some things, once left unsaid, remain forever unanswered.