It started with the seating chart.
A week after the photo went viral, the head teacher posted new assignments on the bulletin board.
I scanned the list.
My name: Kellie Raines
Row 3, Seat B.
And two rows over not next to me, not even in the same column Rose Takahashi.
Across the classroom.
Like we might contaminate the space if we sat too close.
Rose saw it too.
She didn't say anything. Just stood there a moment, lips pressed together, hand in her pocket like it was holding something back.
When we got to our desks, it was clear.
Half the class had noticed.
A few whispered.
One girl said too loudly, "Weird how they're always together."
Another replied, "Maybe the teachers are finally doing something about it."
Rose didn't look up.
But I did.
And I didn't look away.
At break, we found the teacher who made the change Mr. Sato.
He was one of those well-liked types. Kind voice. Polished shoes.
Always seemed progressive, until it mattered.
"Excuse me," Rose said, calm but steady. "May we ask about the seating chart?"
He turned. "Ah, Miss Takahashi. Of course. Just adjusting the balance of participation. Thought it might help everyone focus a bit better."
"But we didn't ask to be moved," I said.
He blinked at me. "Well, it's not personal."
"It feels personal," Rose said.
Her voice was still soft.
But she looked him straight in the eyes.
"You moved us the week after our photo went around. After people started talking. You didn't separate other pairs who sit together."
A beat of silence.
He shifted. "I just didn't want you two to feel… pressured. Or like you were being watched."
"We are being watched," I said. "That doesn't mean you get to move us like it's protection."
He sighed. "You're reading too much into this."
"No," Rose said. "We're reading it exactly as it is."
The hallway was quiet after he walked away.
Rose leaned against the wall, exhaling hard. "Do you think it'll matter?"
"I think it did," I said. "Because we didn't let it slide."
She nodded.
Then smiled just barely. "That felt good."
"You looked like you wanted to punch him."
"I did."
We both laughed.
Not because it was funny.
But because sometimes laughing is the only way to breathe.
We sat next to each other at lunch anyway.
Close. Not hiding.
And when the student council rep came by and asked if we wanted to help decorate for the upcoming festival no hesitation.
Rose looked at me.
I nodded.
She turned back to him.
"We'd love to."
Because we weren't fading out.
We weren't going quiet.
We weren't waiting for approval.
We weren't asking anymore.