Always Be Kind

Previously

…“And it shows,” Sam said softly, their gaze meeting Alex’s directly. “It really does.” As Sam’s ride pulled up, Alex lingered for a moment, watching them go. The hum of the school seemed different now, softer, more harmonious. The weight in Alex’s chest had lifted, replaced by a quiet sense of accomplishment, a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a friend, and more importantly, what it meant to keep a promise, not just with words, but with consistent, unwavering care. The ripples from that first pebble were still spreading, but now, they were the gentle, reassuring waves of a friendship rebuilt, stronger and more resilient than before.