You Told Me To Walk So I Walked Right Out Of Your Lives Chapter 36
Leo walked over with the last slice of cake.
“Saved this for you.”
“Thank you.”
“One more thing.”
He took a simple ring from his pocket but didn’t hand it over right away.
“Can I apply for the next stage today?”
I looked at him.
“Have you thought it through?”
“I have.”
He smiled.
“But the decision is yours. If today doesn’t work, I’ll ask again tomorrow.”
Behind him, Miller coughed anxiously.
The children all went quiet, their eyes wide as they stared at us.
I deliberately paused for a few seconds.
Leo’s ears slowly turned red.
Finally, I held out my left hand.
“This time, you get automatic approval.”
He looked at me first, making sure I wasn’t just giving in, before gently sliding the ring onto my finger.
That hand had been twisted until it broke and dragged into the water.
Now, it was no longer just a reminder of the harm that had been done.
After the party ended, we turned off the classroom lights together.
Leo stood at the bottom of the steps and held his hand out to me.
I didn’t think of the people who had stood motionless by the lake.
And I didn’t wait for anyone to save me.
I walked down the steps myself and took his hand.
This time, I was the one walking forward.
And the life ahead would be mine and mine alone.