Three days had already passed since the last time I heard from Liz. Three days in which my phone stayed silent, without a single message, without any returned call. Three days that felt endless. No matter how much I tried to distract myself at the university, how much I focused on my classes or the museum rounds: all I did was look at my phone screen, waiting for her name to appear.
I texted her several times, first with casual messages, then with more insistent ones, and finally I ended up calling her, once, twice, three times. Nothing. Not even a simple “I can’t talk right now.” That absence was eating me away little by little. Liz wasn’t the kind of person to disappear like that. She could be reserved, yes, even evasive when something made her uncomfortable, but she had never left me in complete silence.
I even tried to go look for her at her job. I walked there with my heart in my throat, mentally going over what excuse I would give her if she saw me show up out of nowhere. But I didn’t find her. I casually asked one of her coworkers, who only told me she hadn’t seen her in days. That answer left me frozen, because it meant she wasn’t keeping up with her routine either, and that definitely didn’t sound like Liz.
That same night I asked Mom to give me her home address. She looked at me with that calm of hers, as if she knew I was about to insist more than I should, and gently said:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW49GI3i99
—Isa, if she didn’t give you her address herself, maybe it’s because she needs her space. You have to respect that.
Her answer was kind, but I felt my chest tighten. The last thing I wanted was to invade her or seem pushy, but how could I just sit back and do nothing? We had shared so much in such a short time, moments that still felt fresh in my memory, as if they had happened yesterday. Her shy laugh at the museum, the warmth of her gaze in my room, that silent complicity that seemed to grow between us… and now she was just going to disappear from my life without explanation?
Every day at the university felt eternal. The classroom, which always gave me some sense of security, became a hostile space. My classmates’ voices grew distant, the classes seemed meaningless. I walked through the halls with my head down, and every time my phone vibrated in my pocket, my heart would leap desperately, only to discover it was never her.
I couldn’t help imagining scenarios. Had she gotten mad at me? Had I done something wrong? Had she decided I wasn’t someone worth keeping around? Or worse… had something happened to her and I was here, unable to do anything? That uncertainty was worse than any answer.
In three days I realized how much Liz had become part of my life, almost without me noticing. Her silence felt like a huge hole, a void that filled everything else with anxiety and unanswered questions.
The fourth day without any news from Liz became unbearable. Every class at the university felt endless, the hours wouldn’t pass and my mind kept going back to her. I checked my phone over and over, waiting for a reply that never came. Not even a “seen,” nothing. It was as if she had suddenly disappeared off the map.
In the end, I decided to do the only thing I could: look for her. The first place that came to mind was her job. Maybe someone there would tell me she was okay, or that she had simply taken a few days off. That idea was the only thing holding me together as I walked quickly toward the restaurant.
When I got there, I faced my first disappointment: she wasn’t there. I scanned the place as if she might suddenly appear among the tables in her uniform, but no. The empty feeling in my stomach hit me hard.
I was about to leave when I saw him. A young guy, still in uniform, was walking out the door calmly with a bag in his hand. Something in the way he looked around made me stop; he seemed like someone who worked there, someone who surely knew her. I didn’t think too much and approached him.
—Excuse me… do you work here? —I asked, a bit nervous.
He looked at me, surprised, as if he didn’t expect to be stopped.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWOA24Gzkg
—Yeah —he replied simply, watching me for a moment—. Are you looking for someone?
—Liz —I said without hesitation—. I’m… I’m her friend. I haven’t heard from her in three days and I’m worried.
The guy blinked a couple of times, as if processing the information, and then nodded with an expression that threw me off: not surprise, but recognition.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21T4PAF4zP
—Oh, Liz… —his voice dropped slightly, as if that name carried a weight I didn’t know—. Yeah, I know her.
I stayed still. There was something in the way he said it, in that familiar tone, that caused a strange pang in my chest.
—Do you know her well? —I asked, unable to stop myself.
He let out a short sigh and shrugged.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9SwvfeQuk
—We’ve worked together for quite a while. Liz… doesn’t talk much, you know, but when she trusts someone, she opens up more than it seems.
I felt a chill. No, I didn’t know that. Not like that. And yet, he said it so naturally that it was obvious he knew things I didn’t. Something inside me tightened, a mix of jealousy, discomfort, and fear.
—And… do you know why she’s not showing up? —my voice came out lower than I expected.
Will —because later he told me his name— looked at me carefully, as if trying to measure my intentions.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYTrhd8PmR
—I know these days haven’t been easy for her. But it’s not my place to tell you.
I bit my lip, frustrated. That guy, a complete stranger, seemed to know a side of Liz that I hadn’t even had access to yet. And that hurt more than I wanted to admit.
—I just want to help her —I said, my throat tightening, noticing the discomfort growing—. If you know something… I need you to tell me.
He shook his head slowly.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBipqmcDrt
—It’s best if you’re patient. Liz is… complicated. But she’s not alone.
She wasn’t alone. That phrase kept repeating in my head, chilling me a little. I couldn’t fully tell if he said it to reassure me or to mark a distance.
—So… you did see her? —I asked quietly, as if I needed to confirm it.
Will nodded, resting his elbows on the table.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SQAhLX4gC
—Yesterday I went to see her, I didn’t want to pressure her. She was calmer… but still not ready to go back to normal.
Isabella lowered her gaze. That uncomfortable feeling, like a knot in her chest, returned. Why had he been with Liz and not her? She shook the thought away immediately, trying to focus on what mattered.
—Will… I need you to tell me where she lives —she said suddenly, her tone firmer than she expected.
He blinked, surprised, as if he hadn’t expected such a direct request.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPpX0w4uTL
—Isa, I don’t think that’s the best idea. If Liz didn’t tell you herself, maybe it’s because… right now she needs to be alone.
—No —she interrupted, leaning toward him—. I can’t just sit and do nothing. It’s been three days. She’s not answering my messages or calls. She wasn’t at work. I can’t ignore that.
Will looked at her in silence, and in his eyes there was a mix of doubt and care. Isabella felt the urgency grow in her chest, that almost desperate need to be sure Liz was okay.
—Please —she insisted softly—. I just want to see her, make sure she’s okay. If afterward she asks me to stay away… I will.
The silence stretched for a few seconds that felt eternal. Finally, Will sighed and ran a hand through his hair, resigned.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHz7mhZkb
—Alright… —he murmured—. But promise me you won’t force anything. Liz is… complicated with these things.
Isabella nodded immediately, even though deep down she knew the promise would be hard to keep.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4K6z9Dyes
—I promise.
Will pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, found a pen at the counter, and wrote down an address. When he handed it to her, Isabella took it carefully, as if she were holding something more fragile than it seemed.
—Thank you —she whispered, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety.
But as she slipped the paper into her jacket pocket, she couldn’t help the discomfort growing again. How close was Will to Liz to know where she lived when she, on the other hand, didn’t?
The cold night accompanied me the entire bus ride. I held the paper with the address Will had given me tightly in my hands, as if it were a lifeline. When I got off, the street was quiet, barely lit by streetlights. I walked for a few minutes following the directions until I finally arrived.
In front of me was a neighborhood house, just like the others: neat, with a well-kept front yard, soft lights on inside. I stood on the sidewalk, holding my breath. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like anyone could hear it.
I climbed the steps slowly, almost as if I were afraid of making noise. I stopped in front of the door. I hesitated. I rang the bell lightly, a timid sound that immediately felt ridiculous. I waited a few seconds, nothing. I tried again, this time a bit louder.
The footsteps on the other side made me tense instantly. The lock turned and, when the door opened, there was Liz.
Her face looked dull, her eyes red, as if she had cried too much. She wore an oversized sweatshirt, her hair slightly messy. Even so, she looked like the most fragile and human image I had seen in a long time.
—Isa… —she murmured, surprised, her voice low and hoarse.
I took a deep breath, trying to contain the storm inside me.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l58SyNev9
—I’m sorry for coming like this, without warning… —I said slowly—. But I couldn’t just stay without knowing how you were.
She lowered her gaze, her hands gripping the edge of the door as if unsure whether to let me in. That silence was killing me. I reached out and gently placed my hand over hers.
—You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. Just… let me stay here for a while.
Liz didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes shimmered for a moment, and after a few seconds she stepped back, opening enough space for me to walk in.
I entered slowly. The house was warm, tidy, dimly lit by a lamp in the living room. The air felt different, heavy with something I couldn’t fully understand. I walked a bit further inside, and even though I said nothing, inside I kept repeating to myself that I was there, that I wasn’t going to leave her alone.
The air inside the house was warm, but the feeling was cold. Liz closed the door behind me and the click of the lock sounded louder than it should. She stood there for a moment, with her back to me, as if she didn’t know what to do with me there. I didn’t move either; I just watched her, my heart in my throat.
The silence became unbearable. You could barely hear the distant ticking of a clock and my own uneven breathing.
—You look tired —I finally said softly.
Liz barely lifted her eyes toward me. The lamp’s light revealed the swelling in her gaze, the fragility of her expression. I wanted to hug her immediately, but something stopped me; there was an invisible distance between us, made of everything she hadn’t wanted to tell me.
I sat down slowly on the couch, as if afraid of breaking the calm. She hesitated a moment before sitting on the edge, far away, her hands clasped tightly together.
—Why… why didn’t you answer my messages? —I asked, my voice breaking.
She took a deep breath, staring at the floor. Several seconds passed before I heard her.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSTIqlD8Ox
—Because I thought it was the best thing.
I felt a knot in my stomach.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJDXIsMMvY
—The best thing? To push me away like that, without saying anything?
Liz shifted nervously in her seat.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ9SljEwQ8
—Isa… that customer at the bar… —her voice faded for a second, as if it was hard to continue—. I got scared. Not just because of what happened, but because… I thought that if you knew, if you saw how I react, you would realize how broken I am. And I didn’t want to risk you rejecting me.
I froze. I looked at her and, for a moment, I wanted to shake her, to shout that none of it made sense. But instead, I moved a little closer, slowly, afraid she might pull away.
—Liz, reject you? For being scared? —I shook my head, my throat tight—. Did you really think I would do that?
She looked at me, and I saw her eyes glisten again, fighting back tears.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2aVLdU8pq
—My whole life has been like that, Isa. When I show what I feel… when I let people see what’s really going on with me… they end up leaving. —Her voice trembled—. I didn’t want you to do the same.
I moved closer, closing the distance until my hands were near hers. I hesitated for a second, then gently took them.
—I’m not “people,” Liz. I’m me. And if I’m here, it’s because I care about you. Because I don’t want you to face this alone, even if you think I should run away.
She lowered her head, and a tear slid silently down her cheek. She didn’t break into sobs, but that restrained gesture hurt me more than any cry. I squeezed her hands, as if I could hold her together with that.
—I’m not going to reject you —I whispered at last—. I’m not going to leave.
Silence filled everything again, but it wasn’t the same. Now it carried a different weight: that of a painful truth, but finally shared.
Liz squeezed my hands tightly, as if everything in her resisted speaking. It took her a while to find her voice.
—That man… at the bar —she murmured, not looking at me—. When he started yelling at me, I froze. It wasn’t about him… it was because he reminded me of so many times in high school.
Her breathing became uneven, and I noticed her lips trembling.
—He reminded me of when they pushed me in the hallways, when they laughed at me in front of everyone, when they said horrible things and I… just lowered my head. No one defended me. And I couldn’t do anything. It was like my voice didn’t matter. —She swallowed, her eyes shining—. All of that came back at once, Isa. I felt exactly the same: that I’m worthless, that I’ll always be at the mercy of whatever others want to do to me.
I listened in silence, feeling each word weigh heavily in the air.
—That’s why I didn’t answer your messages —she said finally, barely audible—. Because I thought… that if I told you how I felt, if you realized how weak I still am, you would walk away from me. That you would see me the way everyone else always has: someone extra, someone who doesn’t deserve company.
A tear slid down her cheek, and this time she didn’t try to hide it.
—It hurts so much, Isa. —She placed a hand on her chest—. To think I’m still that person they destroyed. That no matter how much I try to move forward… I’ll never be free from that.
I moved a little closer, still not daring to fully close the distance. I gently lifted her chin so she would look at me.
—Liz, nothing you went through takes away the value you have now. —My voice felt steady, even though inside everything was shaking—. You are not what they did to you. And I… will never see you the way they did.
She stared at me, surprised, as if she didn’t expect to hear something like that. And even though she didn’t answer right away, I saw something different in her eyes: a crack, just a small one, in that wall of pain she had built over so many years.
I don’t know when I finally moved closer, only that suddenly I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly. I felt her tense at first, as if she didn’t remember the last time someone had truly hugged her. Then, little by little, her body gave in, and she let herself fall against my chest.
She didn’t cry loudly, there were no sobs, but I felt the warmth of silent tears on my shirt. That kind of crying that makes no sound, but weighs more than any other. I gently stroked her hair, saying nothing, just holding her, because I understood that she didn’t need words, but a safe place where she could simply exist.
Inside me, something broke. I wanted to cry with her, I felt it in my throat, in my burning eyes, in my tightening chest… but I didn’t. I didn’t want her to think I blamed her for what she felt, that her pain was a burden to me. On the contrary: I wanted to show strength, I wanted to be the refuge no one had ever given her.
I held her tighter, as if I could rebuild with my arms the pieces of trust others had broken in her.
—You don’t have to face everything alone —I whispered softly, not pulling away.
Liz’s breathing was uneven, but she clung to me, hiding her face in my neck. And that’s when I understood it. That warmth running through me, that need to protect her, to make her know she would never be alone again… it wasn’t just friendship. It was something more. Something that had been hitting me for days, but that only now became clear: I liked her.
I liked her way of smiling, even when sadness showed behind it. I liked her way of listening, even though she believed she had nothing valuable to say. I liked how she blushed, how she looked away when she felt vulnerable. And it hurt me —it tore me apart— to know how much she had suffered, how much she had been carrying in silence.
I didn’t say it, of course. It wasn’t the moment. But inside me there were no more doubts. What I felt for Liz had crossed that invisible line. It wasn’t just affection. It was something stronger, deeper, and that certainty gave me fear and relief at the same time.
While she remained in my arms, I understood that I didn’t want to see her sink back into silence, or carry her past alone. And even though I didn’t know how, I promised myself I would be there. That if the world ever treated her like she was invisible again, I would remind her that to me she was the exact opposite.
Minutes passed and I didn’t move. The room was silent, except for our breathing mixed together. I felt that in that embrace there was something unbreakable, a bond that had just been born.
When she pulled back slightly, I noticed how her eyes searched mine to hold onto them. There was a mix of fear and courage in them that tightened my chest.
—This… —her voice was so low I had to hold my breath to hear her— this that you just saw, Isa… is only a small part of what I go through.
I felt my heart shrink. I said nothing, just waited.
—I want you to be patient with me. —She lowered her gaze, as if she couldn’t bear mine—. It’s not easy. I don’t want you to think I’m playing the victim or trying to make you feel sorry for me… because that’s not it. It’s just… sometimes I need to let out everything I carry, and I did it with you. I’m sorry for telling you all this, I don’t want you to feel bad because of me.
For a second, I feared she expected the same reaction she had found in others: discomfort, distance, rejection. And in that moment, seeing her so vulnerable, I understood. That her fear wasn’t just of past pain, but also of losing the little good she now had. Of losing me.
I leaned toward her, without hesitation.
—Liz —I whispered—, don’t ever apologize for what you feel. Never. Listening to you is not a burden. Not for me.
Her face tensed, as if she didn’t quite believe me. So I raised my hand and gently caressed her cheek, with the utmost care, as if I wanted to engrave the certainty of my words into her skin.
—I want to be here, even when you show me those parts you think are too heavy or too dark. They don’t scare me —I said firmly, feeling my own voice tremble a little—. On the contrary, they bring me closer to you. And I want that, Liz… I want to understand you, I want to be there with you.
For a moment, I had to hold back tears. I didn’t want her to see them and think her story hurt me too much, that she would blame herself again. But inside I felt such a big knot that it was hard to breathe. It hurt to see her like that, and at the same time it hurt to have taken so long to recognize the obvious: that what I felt for her went beyond simple friendship.
I leaned a little closer, without breaking eye contact, and gave her a small smile. A fragile smile, but sincere.
Liz’s house was quiet, barely lit by a lamp in the living room. I still felt moved by everything she had told me and how much she had trusted me that night. The air was filled with something I couldn’t tell if it was tenderness or concern, or maybe both at once.
Suddenly, Liz looked at me, lowering her gaze almost immediately, as if she regretted it. I saw her hesitate, fidget with her fingers, until she finally made up her mind.
—Isa… —her voice came out low, trembling— could you… stay over tonight, at my house?
It surprised me so much that it took me a few seconds to react. It wasn’t what I had imagined hearing, but the way she said it, as if she feared a “no” that would break something inside her, made me smile softly.
—Here? —I repeated, just to buy time. She nodded slowly, without looking up.
—I don’t want to be alone tonight. And with you… I feel better.
My heart flipped. That naked honesty, so full of need, went straight through me. I wanted to hug her right then, but instead of rushing, I took my phone and dialed Mom’s number.
—Mom, would it be okay if I stay over at Liz’s tonight?
I heard her pause briefly before answering:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13bSZHvM52
—As long as her mother agrees, it’s fine. But let me know in the morning, okay?
—Yes, I will. Thanks, Mom. —I hung up and looked at Liz—. Mom says it’s fine, as long as your mother knows too.
She seemed to gain a bit of confidence hearing me. She took her phone, wrote a short message, and sent it. I stayed by her side in silence, giving her space. When the reply came, she read it twice before showing it to me.
“It’s fine, take care and rest.”
Liz smiled faintly, a small but real gesture.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmXu8MoCjm
—So… you’re staying with me. —she said, and there was something in her voice that made me understand how important it was to her.
I settled on the couch beside her, feeling how the tension from earlier slowly dissolved.
—Do you want us to make something to eat or order something? —I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
She shrugged, with that shy air that seemed so natural to her.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTvRJFz6xI
—I don’t know… as long as I’m not the one cooking, it should turn out fine.
We both laughed, and that shared laughter marked the beginning of a calm moment. We stayed talking about simple, almost trivial things: a show she had been watching, a professor who was driving me crazy at the university. The normal, everyday stuff. And yet, in that simple exchange there was something different: a stronger bond, the certainty that that night was important for her… and for me too.
We ended up deciding to order a pizza. It was the easiest solution, and maybe also the most comfortable to avoid thinking too much. While we waited, Liz looked for something to watch and we found a random movie, one of those that doesn’t require much attention. When the food arrived, we settled on the couch with the box open on the coffee table. We ate slowly, making occasional comments about the movie, and at times we fell into silence, but it was a calm silence, without the tension from before.
It surprised me how natural it felt to be there with her, sharing something as simple as dinner. There was something in the way Liz looked at me, as if she wanted to make sure I was really there with her, and I, without meaning to, found myself wanting to give her that reassurance back.
When we finished and it was already late, Liz looked at me with a hint of indecision.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTNzvRaStZ
—Should we go upstairs? —she asked, as if inviting me into a private space.
—Sure —I replied.
In her room, I turned on the soft bedside lamp and, without thinking much, started moving some blankets I found to make a sort of makeshift bed on the floor. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable or invade too much. But when I looked up, Liz was watching me with a mix of amusement and tenderness.
—Do you really plan to sleep on the floor? —she laughed, that soft but genuine laugh that softened her expression.
—Well, I thought that… —I stopped, feeling a bit awkward.
—Isa —she interrupted, shaking her head—. Don’t be silly. Stay in the bed with me, okay?
My heart started beating faster. I hesitated for a second, but her smile was warm, there was nothing in it that made me feel out of place.
—Alright… —I answered, nervous, but not wanting to argue.
Liz went to her closet and took out a couple of clothes: comfortable shorts and a loose T-shirt.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavoll0kFLM
—Here, put this on. I don’t think you want to sleep in the clothes you wore all day.
—Thanks —I said, taking them with a mix of shyness and gratitude. I quickly changed in the bathroom and, when I came back, she was already under the covers, glancing at me as if she feared I might change my mind at the last moment.
I lay down beside her, a bit stiff at first, trying to keep a respectful distance. But after a few minutes, the naturalness of being close started to take over. We talked a little more, softly, almost in whispers, about the movie, about how tiring the day had been, and about nothing in particular.
At some point, our eyes met in the dim light of the room. Liz’s eyes were softer than ever, as if she had lowered all her defenses. I felt a knot in my chest, that mix of tenderness and something deeper I was just beginning to understand.
—Thanks for staying —she murmured, her voice barely audible.
—You don’t have to thank me —I replied, but with a lump in my throat, because I knew that for her, it meant a lot.
And so, with that closeness that needed no more words, we let ourselves be wrapped in silence, lying next to each other. Me, nervous but happy to be there. Her, calm, as if for the first time in a long while she could truly rest.
At first, it was hard for me to stay still. I was too aware of every movement, of how close I was to Liz, of the inevitable brushing of the shared sheets. I tried to regulate my breathing so I wouldn’t seem nervous, but in reality my chest rose and fell with an intensity I felt she could notice.
As the minutes passed, silence wrapped around the room. Only the soft hum of the heater could be heard and, little by little, Liz’s breathing became steadier. I turned my head slightly and saw her, eyes already closed, her expression relaxed, without that tension that so often seemed to follow her even when she smiled.
It was strangely beautiful to see her like that, so calm, almost fragile. I kept watching her longer than I should have, with that irrational fear that if I looked away, something would break. And in that moment, a certainty hit me: Liz trusted me enough to fall asleep beside me. For her, who seemed to carry an entire world on her shoulders, that couldn’t be easy.
I felt a lump in my throat. I wanted to cry, but not out of sadness, but because I wanted to protect her from everything, even from her own memories that hurt her so much.
I moved a little closer, not daring to touch her, and whispered more to myself than to her:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit41XpJ5Zs
—I’m not going to let you be alone in this.
I don’t know if she heard me, but I clung to that promise as if it were a secret only mine.
I spent a long time watching her, trying to memorize the image of her relaxed face, of that calm that seemed so hard for her to reach. I also began to feel sleep weighing on my eyelids, but before drifting off, I noticed that my hand had instinctively moved to the edge of the sheet near hers. I didn’t touch her, but I stayed there, just a few centimeters away, with that strange and warm feeling of being exactly where I was supposed to be.
And like that, among thoughts I didn’t yet dare to name, sleep slowly took over me.
I opened my eyes slowly, not entirely sure what time it was. The light barely filtered through the window, enough to see Isabella’s silhouette sleeping beside me. I felt the warmth of an arm wrapped around me, soft, as if she had been hugging me all night without realizing it.
My heart jumped instantly. I stayed completely still, holding my breath as if any movement might wake her. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable or have her think I had wanted this. It was… strange. Beautiful, but strange.
A few endless minutes passed until I felt her move. Her breathing changed and, suddenly, she opened her eyes. That’s when she realized her position: she was pressed against me, practically tangled in my arms. Her face flushed immediately.
—I… sorry —she whispered, pulling away awkwardly.
—It’s fine —I said quickly, too quickly, and I had to look away so she wouldn’t notice how my hands were trembling.
The silence that followed was uncomfortable, as if neither of us knew what to do with what had just happened.
Trying to escape that tension, I sat up and, almost out of habit, started looking for clean clothes in the drawer. I took off the shirt I was wearing and began changing like I always did in my room, without thinking much. Only when I looked up and saw her there, watching me from the bed with wide eyes, did I remember I wasn’t alone.
Heat rushed to my face instantly.64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6galsrlOa
—Sorry —I stammered, grabbing my clothes in a hurry—. I’m… used to it.
Without giving her time to respond, I grabbed the clothes and rushed into the bathroom, my heart pounding in my chest.
I leaned my back against the closed door and shut my eyes, trying to calm down. “What a way to start the day,” I thought, with a mix of embarrassment and something I didn’t want to admit yet.
I stayed in the bathroom for a few minutes, longer than I really needed to get dressed. I washed my face twice, as if that could erase the heat still on my cheeks. I took a deep breath before opening the door, silently rehearsing a “everything’s normal” that didn’t quite convince me.
When I came out, Isabella was still in bed, staring at the ceiling. As soon as she saw me, she straightened up a little and gave me a shy smile. I, awkwardly, nodded as if that were enough of a response.
—You can use the bathroom if you want —I said, keeping my voice as neutral as possible.
She got up slowly, still silent, and passed by me. I caught her scent as she brushed past me, soft and warm, and I had to clench my hands to avoid showing how nervous I was. As soon as she closed the bathroom door behind her, I dropped onto the bed and hid my face in my hands. “Get it together, Liz. Get it together.”
A few minutes later, she came back with slightly damp hair, and it was as if nothing had happened. We looked at each other for a moment and, almost at the same time, we both let out a soft, nervous laugh.
—That was… a good breakfast yesterday —I said without thinking, trying to break the tension with anything.
—It was —she replied, glancing at me—. Although I think last night’s pizza was better.
That small joke eased the awkwardness a bit. We decided to go downstairs together to make something for breakfast, although neither of us was very hungry. The atmosphere felt strange, filled with silences that weren’t entirely uncomfortable, but definitely different. I made a huge effort to act normal, as if waking up wrapped around her and accidentally undressing in front of her weren’t memories replaying in my head over and over again.
While we poured coffee, Isabella looked at me and said with a calm I didn’t expect:64Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OM7A4lzjq
—I liked staying here, Liz.
The cup trembled slightly in my hands, just enough for me to notice. I didn’t say anything right away, I just smiled, lowering my gaze, because I didn’t know how to handle what I felt.
When I served the coffee, Isabella was already sitting at the table. I placed the cup in front of her and sat across from her. I didn’t know what to say, so I played with the spoon for a while, watching the steam rise.
—Did you sleep well? —I finally asked, too aware of how obvious the question was.
—Yeah… really well, actually —she replied, taking a sip of her coffee. She smiled, and that smile made a knot tighten in my stomach—. And you?
—Me too. —I lied a little, because I had barely slept between my thoughts and the surprise of waking up with her holding me.
There was a brief silence, the kind that feels longer than it actually is. Isabella broke it by resting her elbow on the table.
—Thanks for letting me stay here, Liz. —She looked at me with that sincere expression I rarely found in people.
—You don’t have to thank me. —I shrugged, trying to downplay it—. I liked having company… it’s been a long time since something like that happened.
She held my gaze for a moment longer, and I had to look away. I felt exposed, as if she could read more on my face than I wanted to show.
After that, the conversation became lighter: we talked about the movie from the night before, how late we ordered the pizza, and how badly I chose the flavor. We laughed a little, and that laughter eased the tension. It was strange, but I liked it. Even so, inside me something hurt: that feeling that this was too good to be true, that at any moment it could vanish like so many other things.
Time passed almost without us noticing, and at some point we both knew the goodbye was approaching. Isabella looked at the watch on her wrist and sighed.
—I think I should get going… Mom is probably waiting for me.
—Of course —I replied, trying to make my voice sound normal, as if it didn’t matter so much to see her leave.
I walked her to the door. Standing there, close to each other, the height difference was more noticeable. I crossed my arms, uncomfortable with my own nerves. She, on the other hand, seemed to be debating whether to say something more or stay silent.
—So… will I see you soon? —she finally asked, her tone sounding more like a plea than a question.
—Yeah, of course. —I nodded without thinking much.
We looked at each other again, too close and too far at the same time. Isabella leaned in and gave me a soft hug. I didn’t know how to react at first, but when my arms finally wrapped around her, I felt something in my chest loosen, as if that goodbye hurt more than it should.
When we pulled apart, I stayed still for a few seconds, looking at her without knowing what to do with everything I was feeling inside. Before thinking too much, I leaned in slightly and kissed her on the cheek. It was quick, clumsy, but I felt the warmth of her skin burn on my lips and the blush rise to my face instantly.
—Take care, Isa —I said softly, almost like a sigh.
She widened her eyes a little, surprised, and then smiled in a way that made me feel I had done the right thing. She waved goodbye as she walked toward the car where her mother was waiting. I closed the door slowly, my heart pounding as if it didn’t want to calm down.
Silence filled the house again, but it wasn’t the same as before: now it carried her trace, her warmth still on my skin and that smile in my memory.
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.