Behind Closed Doors (Vincenzo's POV)
It had been a few weeks since Eli moved in. I could see how he'd settled into the rhythm of university life. He was always out, always talking to someone, laughing, living—just like any other student. To him, this was a normal college experience. He had no idea how different things were for me.
I noticed the way he looked at everything with wide-eyed curiosity. There was an innocence to him that I hadn't seen in a long time. He thought the world was a simple place, and maybe that was fine for him. He had no reason to believe otherwise.
Eli was the type to befriend anyone. He didn't mind striking up a conversation with anyone who crossed his path. It was cute, I guess, how open he was. But I couldn't help but wonder what would happen when someone took advantage of that openness. So many people, all wearing masks, pretending to be something they're not. But Eli? He never hid who he was. He was real, raw, and naïve. I couldn't decide if that made him more likable or more dangerous to himself.
He'd smile at me every time he walked past, always polite, always trying to make conversation. I tried to keep things light, to not let him feel the weight of my silence. I wasn't a people person. Never had been. But with Eli, it was different. Something about his presence made me tolerate more than I normally would. His laughter, his easy way of speaking, his openness—it wasn't a burden to be around him. It was... familiar, in a way.
Still, I didn't let him get too close. He didn't need to know the details of my life.
One evening, he knocked on my door again. It was an odd hour, but I wasn't surprised. Eli was always full of surprises. I stood up from my desk and opened the door, meeting his curious eyes.
"Hey," he said, his voice a little more hesitant than usual. "I just... I don't know. I wanted to talk."
I raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this conversation was going. "About what?"
He shifted nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just... everything, I guess. I don't really know many people here, and you've kind of been around, so..."
I held his gaze for a moment, studying him. My eyes lingered just a bit too long, but I couldn't help it. There was something about him that made it hard to look away. I didn't say anything, though, just motioned for him to come in.
"You're not a big talker, huh?" he asked, taking a seat in the corner of the room.
I shrugged slightly, watching him settle into the space. He was always moving, always energetic. It was a sharp contrast to the stillness I had learned to live with. "I keep to myself."
"Yeah, I noticed." He smiled a little, still trying to find common ground between us. "But I figured, you know, we've been sharing the same space for a few weeks, so…"
I crossed the room slowly, my steps deliberate. I knew he was trying to break the ice, to find a connection. I couldn't quite understand why I let him. There was something about the way his eyes sparkled when he talked, something soft about the way his lips curled up when he smiled. It made me... want to keep him around. But I couldn't."
"You want to hang out?" he asked, eyes hopeful, despite his usual shyness.
I glanced at him, then away. My thoughts strayed for a second. "Sure," I replied, trying to hide the fact that I wasn't sure if I was agreeing because I wanted to, or because it just felt right when he asked.
He seemed relieved, like he had somehow passed a test. He wandered around the room, touching a few things here and there, trying to be polite but clearly a little uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment. I didn't mind. He had a certain charm about him—one that made it hard to tell him to leave, even when I didn't want him here.
"So," he said after a beat, looking around at my room. "It's pretty quiet here, huh?"
I nodded. "I like it that way."
He chuckled, clearly trying to be easy-going. "Well, I guess that's one way to live. My room's, uh... a bit more crowded, I guess. But it's cool. We get along."
I moved to stand closer to him, leaning casually against the wall, a few steps away. Just enough to feel his presence, but not too close. I didn't want to invade his space. But I couldn't deny the way the tension between us felt. It was different from anything I had felt in a long time. "Yeah, you seem like you get along with everyone."
He shrugged with that familiar warmth in his eyes. "I try. I mean, I guess it's just easier, right?"
I didn't answer, letting the silence settle between us for a while. It wasn't uncomfortable, though. Not like I thought it would be. My gaze lingered on him, wondering how long I could keep pretending that none of this was affecting me.
"You know," I said, voice softer, "people aren't always what they seem. Be careful who you trust."
He looked at me, confused for a second, then laughed. "What do you mean? You're not exactly a bad guy, are you?"
I smirked, just a little, as I let my eyes flicker to his lips for a split second. "You'd be surprised."
He met my gaze, not backing down. "Maybe," he said, eyes twinkling, a little more confident now. "But I think I can tell when someone's a good person."
There was something about his belief in me, something so naïve yet so trusting. I didn't know why it affected me like it did. Maybe because I hadn't let anyone see that part of me in a long time. Maybe because, despite all my walls, he still saw something good in me.
I didn't answer. I just looked at him. There was something that stirred deep within me—a need to protect him, to keep him from the world outside. He didn't need to know what I was capable of. He didn't need to see the side of me that was as dangerous as it was beautiful.
As the conversation lulled, Eli stood up, probably realizing he was overstaying his welcome. He gave me that same easy smile, the one that always seemed so effortless on him. "Thanks for letting me hang out. It was good to talk."
I nodded, letting the moment linger longer than it should have. "No problem."
He left without a second thought, and I watched him walk down the hallway, his figure disappearing around the corner.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep this up. Keeping him close, without letting him see the darker side of me. Without letting him realize who I really was. I couldn't keep up this act forever. Eventually, the truth would come out.
But for now, he could stay in the bubble.