Chapter 6: Confessions Between Heartbeats
Y/N's POV
The next day felt heavier than usual.
Every step toward school felt like walking through fog. I tried to ignore the lingering ache in my chest—the one that appeared every time I thought of him, every time I remembered the quiet moments on the bus, the silent conversations that didn't need words.
But ignoring him was impossible.
He was there. Waiting by the gate, like he knew I would come.
Our eyes met. And just like that, the world narrowed to him. Nothing else existed.
Jay nudged me. "Go."
I froze. My legs refused to move.
He smiled. Not his teasing, playful smile. A small, soft one. Almost… shy.
My heart tripped over itself.
---
Riki's POV
She was staring at me like she was trying to read every thought I had.
And maybe she was. Because I wanted her to. I wanted her to know—without me saying a single word—that she had invaded every corner of my mind.
I wanted to tell her how much I liked her. How much I had been trying not to like her. How every time she looked away, my chest tightened.
But I didn't. I stayed quiet. Let her figure it out herself.
For now.
---
Y/N's POV (Classroom)
During the first period, I tried to concentrate. Failed.
He kept glancing at me, just small, fleeting looks. But they were enough. Enough to make my chest squeeze, enough to make my fingers tremble, enough to make my heart race faster than I thought possible.
Then he moved.
Sat right beside me.
My pen dropped.
"Hi," he said. Just that. Nothing more.
I couldn't breathe. I nodded. "Hi."
Silence fell, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was… electric.
---
Riki's POV
She was so fragile. So soft. So… everything.
I wanted to reach for her hand. Touch her. Tell her everything I couldn't say.
But I stayed still.
For once, I let my feelings speak in silence. Let my heartbeat do the talking.
Because if I touched her too soon… I'd ruin everything.
---
Y/N's POV (Break Time)
Jay whispered, "Talk to him. Please."
I shook my head. I couldn't.
Then he leaned in slightly. Closer than necessary. Closer than anyone else.
"Y/N…"
I looked up. His eyes were soft. Vulnerable. And somehow, mine mirrored the same fear, the same longing, the same… wanting.
"I…" My voice caught. I couldn't finish.
He smiled faintly, like he understood. Like he felt the same way.
And just for a moment, I thought the world could stop, and nothing else would matter.
---
Riki's POV
Her lips moved, but I didn't hear. Because I only heard my own heart thundering in my ears.
I wanted to tell her. Wanted to confess everything.
Then, before I could, she leaned slightly closer.
Her fingers brushed mine. Just a whisper of a touch.
And it was enough.
---
Y/N's POV (Closing)
I froze.
The world blurred. The noise, the chaos, the other students—they all vanished.
Only him. Only this.
My heart screamed. My chest burned.
And I realized… I didn't want to ignore him anymore.
I didn't want to pretend.
Because some confessions don't need words.
Some confessions happen between heartbeats.
---