Chapter 56: Selfless soul

Milie's POV.

"Guys, I think I ate too much. Let's go for a walk." I tried to sound casual.

In reality, I was seconds away from exploding. The surprise was finally ready.

Alan and I had planned things, and now all I wanted was to see Sammy's face when he found out.

"I'll stay here," Sammy said, sinking deeper into the couch. "You two lovebirds go."

His eyes remained glued to the television.

"Are you sure?" Daxton asked, though the corner of his mouth twitched suspiciously.

Sammy smirked. "Absolutely."

I narrowed my eyes immediately. Something passed between them.

A look, a silent conversation, and I didn't like it.

Not because they were hiding something. Because I knew exactly what they wanted.

Time alone. I could practically hear Sammy saying, “Go talk about your date already.”

My stomach tightened. I wasn't ready. Not yet.

Before either of them could continue, I grabbed Sammy's wrist. "Get up."

"What?"

"You're coming."

Before he could protest, I pulled harder. Sammy nearly tumbled off the sofa.

"Oh, girl!" he yelped. "You almost broke my spine!"

I ignored him. "Get up."

"Milie..." he groaned dramatically.

"Now."

Daxton watched us with a small frown before speaking up. "Why are you forcing him?"

"Because he's avoiding us." I didn't look at Daxton.

"You love wandering around at night. You never say no to walks."

"True," Sammy admitted.

"Exactly." I crossed my arms. "So stop acting like some retired grandfather and move."

Sammy burst out laughing. "Retired grandfather?"

"Yes, now, get up." With exaggerated suffering, he finally stood. The three of us stepped outside.

I waited while Daxton locked the door.

When I turned around, I caught another look passing between him and Sammy.

And that was it. I snapped.

"Stop it, guys."

Both boys looked at me.

"I know exactly what you two are trying to do."

Sammy immediately looked away.

Daxton sighed. "Milie—"

"No."

I faced him. "Can you please just be my friend tonight?"

The words came out softer than I intended. "Just for one evening."

Pain flickered across his face, and guilt followed in my heart.

Because I knew I was hurting him. But I didn't know how to stop.

Before I could say anything else, Daxton stepped closer.

"What am I supposed to do, Milie?" His voice wasn't angry.

That somehow made it worse. "One minute you're fine."

His eyes met mine. "The next minute you're pulling away."

I looked down, and he exhaled heavily before continuing.

"After the kiss, you practically ran from me."

"Today, you skipped class to avoid me."

"I understood. I gave you space." His voice cracked slightly.

"I didn't call, I didn't text, I even stopped Sammy from bothering you."

He laughed bitterly. "Do you think it was easy for me?"

I stared at him, not having anything to say.

Daxton shook his head. "I was happy when you called today."

His eyes softened. "I thought maybe things will be okay again."

Guilt twisted painfully inside me. "But no! You were not ready to meet my eyes properly."

"I wanted to see you." His voice lowered. "I wanted to talk about yesterday. About us."

Silence settled. I still didn't know what to say, but he deserved answers.

Thank god, Sammy stepped between us and threw an arm around my shoulders.

"Okay, enough, now." His voice was calm.

He looked at Daxton. "Don’t be so hard on her, bro. Give her time."

Then he looked at me, and at that exact moment, my phone rang.

I pulled the phone, and all three of us glanced down at the screen. It was Alan.

Daxton's jaw tightened immediately. "There he is again."

"Dax." I snapped.

"He somehow manages to be everywhere."

"Dax."

He ignored me and continued. "And you always make room for him."

"Stop." I snapped louder. Both boys went silent.

I looked directly at Daxton.

"Don't do that." My voice trembled.

"Don't make Alan the villain in something that has nothing to do with him."

"He isn't the problem."

For months, I had tolerated this attitude towards him, but not today. Not after everything Alan had done.

Daxton stared at me. Then slowly looked away.

"Anyway," I ignored him and answered the call. "Hey."

Alan's familiar voice came through. "Hey, you left?"

"Yeah, we'll be there in two minutes."

I ended the call and grabbed Daxton's wrist. "Come on, come with me. Need to show you something."

He didn't move. "I'm not interested."

"You will be." I tugged harder. He again pulled away.

Sammy immediately jumped in. "Come on, bro."

He pushed him again, and with visible reluctance, Daxton finally followed.

A few minutes later, we reached the garage. People were already gathered outside.

Mom, Dad, Aunt Grace, Nana, Emma, Tessa, and the owner of the garage.

Everyone stood chatting near a ribbon tied across the entrance.

Sammy stopped walking. His brows furrowed. "What’s going on here?"

Nobody answered. Instead, Tessa smiled. "Something is waiting for you."

"For me?" His confusion deepened. "Here, in a garage?"

Alan stepped forward, holding out a pair of scissors. "Yeah, you are our guest of honor."

Sammy stared. "What?"

"Cut the ribbon, Son. My legs are hurting, waiting for you," Dad joked, and everyone chuckled.

"But why?"

“Just cut it, Man," I said.

Everyone burst out laughing. Even I couldn't help smiling.

Finally, Sammy accepted the scissors and cut the ribbon.

The moment it fell, Alan pushed open the door, and lights flooded the room.

I watched Sammy step inside and freeze completely.

His eyes moved across the giant mirror, the sound system, the banners, and the polished floor.

Then, finally—the sign—SMD Dance Studio.

"Is..." His voice broke. He looked at me. Then at Alan. Then back at the sign.

"Is this a dance studio?" I nodded.

His eyes immediately filled. His voice barely came out. "For me?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

The old owner stepped forward. "And I'm your first student."

Sammy's lips parted. He stared at all of us. Tears slipped down his cheeks.

The kind that arrives when happiness hits too hard. He then laughed through them.

"Thank you," He said, looking at me.

I shook my head. "Not me, Alan. He did all this. It was his idea."

Alan pointed around the room. "Everyone helped."

"Liar." Emma said, folding her arms. "Most of it was him."

Sammy didn't say another word. He simply walked forward and wrapped Alan in a tight hug.

The kind that carried years of friendship inside it. "Thank you."

His voice cracked. "Seriously... thank you."

For the first time all evening, Alan looked embarrassed. And somehow that made him even more beautiful.

Beside me, Daxton quietly exhaled. "I'm sorry."

I turned. His eyes remained fixed on Alan.

"I judged him."

My heart softened. "Then tell him later."

Daxton nodded. Together, we watched Sammy walk around the studio like a kid discovering magic.

Touching everything. Looking at everything. Smiling through tears, making my Mom dance.

And while everyone celebrated around us, my gaze drifted toward Alan.

He was laughing with my dad now, completely unaware that I was watching.

Or maybe aware and deliberately pretending not to be.

I had observed that whenever I was with Daxton, Alan always kept his distance.

He kept his eyes off me, and suddenly I understood why.

Because no matter how strong he acted...His heart wasn't any less fragile than ours.