Aria had never felt so seen. Every time she was with Kade, it was like the rest of the world disappeared. They shared long conversations in the hallway, exchanged glances that lingered too long, and in those quiet moments, she felt a closeness she hadn't experienced before.
That evening, the hallway was quiet, the sun just dipping behind the city rooftops. Kade had invited her down again, and this time, it wasn't just about music or jokes. They sat together on the rug outside his apartment, shoulders brushing, hearts beating a little faster than usual.
"You know…" Kade said, his voice low, "I like being around you. More than anyone else."
Aria's chest tightened. "I like being around you too," she admitted softly.
For a long moment, they just sat there, the air between them charged and heavy, words unnecessary. Their hands brushed lightly, fingers intertwining almost by accident, sending sparks through her that she hadn't felt before.
She could feel the warmth of him beside her, and it wasn't just physical it was emotional. She trusted him completely, and for the first time, she let herself feel completely open, completely vulnerable.
Kade's gaze held hers, gentle but intense. He leaned just a little closer, and Aria's breath caught. It was a kiss that started softly, lingering, exploring, a first taste of what it felt like to be with someone who truly cared for her. Her heart raced, and for a moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of them.
Time seemed to stop. Every worry, every insecurity nothing mattered except this moment. Their connection went beyond words, beyond touch. It was a promise, a shared understanding, a first step into something new and terrifying and beautiful.
But just like that, it ended.
Kade pulled back suddenly, a shadow passing over his face. "I… I can't," he said, almost to himself. He didn't explain further, and for the first time, Aria saw a distance in him she hadn't noticed before.
The next morning, he was gone. No note. No call. Just… gone.
Aria spent hours in her apartment upstairs, replaying every moment in her mind. The closeness, the touch, the kiss all of it felt like it had been a dream. Her chest ached with longing and confusion, but most of all, with heartbreak.
She didn't understand why he left. She didn't understand what she had done wrong. All she knew was that the person who had made her feel seen and alive was suddenly absent, leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than anything she had experienced.
As she stared out the balcony window that night, the city lights blurring through her tears, she whispered to herself:
"Why did you leave me, Kade?"
Aria sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The apartment felt impossibly quiet, too quiet for someone whose heart was still aching. Kade was gone. Completely gone. And no matter how many times she replayed their moments the small touches, the soft laughter, the way he looked at her she couldn't make sense of it.
"Maybe I need a distraction," she muttered to herself. She pulled on her jacket and headed out, walking toward a party a few blocks away.
Music spilled into the street even before she reached the building, laughter and voices blending into a haze that felt almost foreign.
Inside, the room was warm and chaotic, lights flashing in rhythm with the thump of the bass. People danced, talked, laughed all of it a blur to Aria. She wandered through the crowd, feeling both invisible and painfully aware of everyone else's happiness. Her heart still ached for Kade, but she tried to focus on anything else, anything to take her mind off the emptiness he had left behind.
Hours passed, the party fading in a haze of music, chatter, and the dull throb of longing. Aria knew she couldn't stay forever. She slipped out the side door, letting the cool night air wash over her. The walk home felt longer than usual, every shadow and distant car light a reminder of how alone she felt.
When she reached her apartment building, something felt... off. Her door was slightly open. A shiver ran down her spine, part fear, part curiosity.
She stepped inside cautiously. Hello? Her voice barely carried through the silent apartment.
And then she saw him.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp almond-shaped eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. Dark, curly hair fell slightly over his forehead, catching the dim light of her hallway. He looked calm, nonchalant, almost like he owned the space yet there was something else, a quiet intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
For a moment, neither spoke. Aria reached for the padlock in her hand, intending to secure the door, but he moved first, sliding it into place before she could.
"Why are you home drunk?" His voice was causal, almost rude, but there was a subtle edge that made her stomach twist.
Aria hesitated, gripping the padlock tightly. She wanted to tell him everything, to pour out her heartbreak and confusion, but instead, she took a shaky breath.
"The boy I loved... he left," she said softly.
Malik's eyes flicked over her briefly, unimpressed, but not unkind. He said nothing, just leaned against the doorframe, nonchalant, waiting.
Aria felt her chest tighten. She stepped closer, almost reaching out, but something in her stayed back. Not because of him, exactly but because of Kade, and what he had left behind. She leaned in slightly, as if she might speak more, or maybe even close the distance between them...
And then she stopped.
"That's all," shewhispered,steppingback.
Malik's expression didn't change, but she felt it the awareness, the quiet calculation behind his dark eyes. For reasons she couldn't understand, her chest fluttered in a way it hadn't since Kade left.