Chapter 5: The Silence That Spoke Louder
Y/N's POV
The next morning, I walked into school like a ghost. Heavy, quiet, careful. Every step felt deliberate, measured. I wasn't ready to face him—not yet.
But of course, I didn't get a choice.
He was there. Standing by the lockers. Casual. Confident. Like the world didn't weigh a single ounce on him.
And yet… when our eyes met, something shifted. It wasn't teasing. It wasn't playful. It was… soft.
I tried to look away. Failed.
Jay appeared at my side.
"Go talk to him," she said. Like it was that easy.
I wanted to. I wanted to say something. Anything. But my voice had vanished overnight.
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Riki's POV
She looked like she was carrying the weight of the entire world on her shoulders.
I wanted to reach out. Wanted to ask if she was okay.
But I couldn't. Not yet.
Instead, I just watched. Just… watched.
Every time she looked at me, I felt something I couldn't name. Something sharp. Something soft. Something that pulled me forward, even when my brain screamed to stay away.
She needed time. I knew that. But time wasn't something I could give her… not when every second with her felt like it could slip through my fingers.
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Y/N's POV
By third period, I couldn't focus. My pen hovered over my notebook, blank page staring back at me.
Then it happened.
He came and stood beside my desk. Quietly. Just… there.
"I wanted to see you," he said. Just that. No explanation. No teasing smile.
My heart lurched.
"I… I'm okay," I whispered, though I wasn't.
He nodded. Didn't push. Didn't demand. Didn't ask more than I was ready to give.
And somehow, that was enough.
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Riki's POV
She looked at me. Not with fear. Not with anger. Just… wary.
And it broke something inside me that I hadn't realized was breakable.
I wanted to tell her I liked her. Liked her more than I had ever let anyone in my life. But words… words always failed me.
So I stayed silent.
And hoped she understood.
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Y/N's POV (Lunch)
I sat alone. Tried to eat. Couldn't.
Then I felt it.
A shadow across my table.
He leaned slightly closer.
"Hey," he whispered.
I blinked. Heart thumping too loud for anyone else to hear.
"Hi," I said, voice barely above a sigh.
We sat in silence for a while. Not uncomfortable. Not tense. Just… presence.
It was strange how comforting it was.
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Riki's POV
She was fragile in a way I wanted to protect. Not because I wanted to be a hero. Not because I wanted to fix her.
Because I wanted to be near her.
That was it. Simple. Terrifying. True.
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Y/N's POV (Closing)
The bell rang.
He left without another word. No teasing, no smirk, no wink.
And somehow, that was worse.
Because silence had spoken louder than anything he could have said.
And I… I was starting to listen.
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