She Called Me Hers'

Graduation Day arrived wrapped in sunlight and celebration.

The school field was decked in white tents, folding chairs, and the blue and silver banners of Linwood High. Cameras flashed, teachers barked orders, and parents filled the seats, all pretending not to cry behind sunglasses.

Aria walked in with a sway, head held high, fingers twined with her little brother's as her parents flanked her. Her father wore a pressed navy suit, her mother shimmered in silver, and her brother wore sneakers too bright for his suit pants.

"You look like trouble," her dad whispered as they reached the tent.

"I am trouble," she said, grinning.

"You proud of yourself, princess?" her mom asked, snapping a quick photo.

"I will be," Aria replied. "After tonight."

Her brother elbowed her. "Bet you're thinking about him again."

"Who?" she said too quickly.

He rolled his eyes. "Right."

Lucien was already seated on stage.

Pressed black suit. Dark tie. Hair swept back. He looked sharper than usual, even while slouched slightly with his hands in his lap.

She saw him before he saw her. And for the first time… he was looking for her.

Their eyes met.

And something cracked in her chest.

A ghost of a smile lifted his lips, but it was gone too fast.

The speeches dragged. Diplomas were called. Names were mispronounced. Parents cheered too loudly, and someone threw a beach ball into the crowd. But all Aria felt was time. Slipping.

When her name was called

"Aria west"

she walked across the stage like a queen.

She didn't look at the crowd. She looked straight at him.

Lucien.

But he didn't smile again.

The after-party was held in the gym. Lights were dimmed. Streamers hung from the ceiling. Music pulsed from speakers while students twirled, stumbled, and laughed in sweaty gowns.

Aria wore black again. this time silk. Backless. Dangerous.

Lucien stood by the bleachers, watching the crowd.

She caught his eyes from across the room. But he didn't move.

She walked toward him, slow and steady.

"No hiding tonight?" she asked.

"I'm done hiding," he said.

But he didn't touch her. Didn't reach. Just stood still.

"I thought you were loosening up," she whispered. "Thought maybe you were finally letting me in."

"I was."

"Then why do you look like you're already gone?"

Lucien's eyes flickered with something. pain or guilt, she couldn't tell.

She reached for his hand, but he stepped back.

Not out of anger.

Out of restraint.

"You deserve more than a goodbye kiss in a crowded room," he said.

Aria's throat tightened. "So give me anything."

Before he could answer, a boy tapped her shoulder.

Jason.

"Wanna dance?"

She didn't answer.

Lucien stepped in, voice low and cold. "She's not available."

Jason looked from him to her, frowned, then walked away.

From across the gym, Vanessa approached.

She looked at Lucien like a second chance. "Dance with me?"

"No."

The rejection was immediate. Sharp.

Vanessa's lips parted, hurt flashing through her face. She turned and disappeared.

Lucien turned back to Aria. "I don't want anyone else."

"Then why do you keep acting like I'm temporary?" she whispered.

He looked down. "Because I don't want to break something that never even got the chance to be whole."

She blinked. Her chest felt too tight.

"I waited for you to reach out," she said. "For weeks. I sent messages. Tried to get through. You ignored all of it."

Lucien's jaw tensed. "I was told not to get attached. I didn't trust myself to say goodbye slowly."

Her voice cracked. "So you were already gone a month ago."

He nodded once. "But I never stopped looking at you in my head."

The music faded into another slow song.

They stepped outside, into the night air, under the stars.

The sky was full of stars, the music muffled behind the gym wall. Crickets sang. The world felt slower.

They sat on the low concrete steps, shoes discarded.

"You leaving in two days?" Aria asked.

He nodded.

"What about after that?"

"Army. Then family business. Corporate chains. Boardrooms. Boredom."

"You hate it."

He looked at her. "The only part of my future I don't hate is the part where I might see you again."

She didn't respond.

"I applied to college," she said instead. "Art school. My mom says I need backup plans, but… this is what I want. It's all I want."

"I hope it gives you something I never got here."

She looked at him. "Like what?"

"A reason to feel like I belong."

Lucien reached out and touched her hand gently this time. No kiss. No claim.

Just a press of skin. Real and soft and shaky.

"Would you wait for me?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

So he looked away.

Then her hand gripped his. Tight.

"If I'm not married… come find me."

He turned to her.

"Relationship or not," she said. "If I'm still free… I'm yours."

Lucien nodded. Swallowed. Stood.

She watched him go.

And this time, he didn't look back.

Lucien POV --Packing

He sat in his room, bags half-packed.

The house was silent. His parents had left again. No words. No hug. Just silence and space.

He folded his shirt slowly, tucked the photo of his grandfather into the side pocket.

Aria's name played like a war drum behind his ribs.

He hadn't kissed her goodbye. Hadn't said the words. But he'd meant every look.

If she's not married, he told himself.

Then nothing will stop me.

And even if married..he added.

ONE MONTH LATER

She stood by her window, scrolling through her sent messages. None were read. None were replied.

A tear slipped down her cheek, but she didn't wipe it.

Her brother peeked in. "You okay?"

She nodded. "He's gone."

"Not forever."

She smiled faintly. "He better not be."

Then she typed one last thing:

> "I waited. I'm still waiting. But don't make me wait forever."

She stared at the message until the screen dimmed.

Until the silence in the room became louder than her thoughts.

Until her heart whispered things her pride refused to say out loud.

Maybe he wouldn't read it.

Maybe he already deleted her.

But maybe---just maybe

He would come back remembering this exact moment.

Remembering the girl who never let him drown in his own silence.

She whispered into the dark, soft and sure:

"You're the only loud thing I don't want to silence."

Then she closed her eyes.

And let the night carry her hope for him.