Chapter 1: The Distance Between Us
I met him on a Monday.
That already felt like a bad sign.
He stood by the window, arms crossed, eyes cold and unreadable.
Tall. Quiet. The kind of person who looked like he didn't need anyone.
"This is your new roommate," the landlord said.
Roommate.
I blinked. "You didn't say I'd be sharing."
"I didn't say you wouldn't," he replied calmly.
His voice was low. Flat.
Not rude — just distant.
I forced a smile. "I'm Ethan."
No answer.
I waited.
Still nothing.
Then he finally turned, eyes flicking over me like he was measuring something.
"Alex," he said.
Just one word.
That was it.
---
Living with Alex felt like living with a ghost.
He woke up early.
Came back late.
Never asked questions. Never explained anything.
But somehow… he noticed things.
When I skipped dinner, there would be food left on the table.
When I stayed up too late, the lights in the living room would already be off — quietly, carefully.
As if he didn't want to disturb me.
I told myself it meant nothing.
---
The first time things felt strange was a week later.
I was rushing out, already late, when my bag strap snapped.
Papers scattered across the floor.
"Damn it—"
Before I could react, someone knelt down in front of me.
Alex.
He picked up my papers, one by one. His fingers moved quickly, efficiently.
"You should replace the bag," he said.
"Yeah… I know."
Our hands brushed.
Just for a second.
But he froze.
So did I.
The room felt smaller.
Quieter.
He pulled back first.
"Be careful next time," he added, standing up.
As if nothing had happened.
But his ears were red.
---
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I stared at the ceiling, replaying that moment again and again.
It was stupid.
Accidental.
Meaningless.
So why did my chest feel tight?
---
I heard footsteps outside my door.
A pause.
Then a soft knock.
"Ethan."
I sat up. "Yeah?"
He didn't open the door.
"…You left the window open."
"Oh. Thanks."
Silence.
I thought he'd leave.
He didn't.
"Alex?" I asked quietly.
Another pause.
"…Good night."
Footsteps faded down the hallway.
I lay back down.
My heart was beating way too fast.
---
The next morning, we avoided each other.
But when I reached for my coffee mug—
It was already warm.
---