Chapter 3 — Close Enough to Break
He shows up at my door without texting first.
Again.
It's late — too late — and the world outside is quiet enough that the knock sounds like thunder.
When I open the door, Eli's standing there with that half-smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. His hair's damp from the rain, drops clinging to the edge of his jaw. He looks calm, but I know that calm — the kind that's held together by something fragile and sharp underneath.
"You weren't answering," he says simply.
"I was asleep."
He glances past me, into my apartment, as if checking whether I'm alone. "You didn't tell me you were going to sleep early."
"I didn't think I had to."
He tilts his head, just slightly. "You don't. I just worry when you go quiet."
I fold my arms. "You don't need to worry about me all the time."
For a second, something flickers in his eyes — hurt, or maybe anger. It's hard to tell the difference anymore.
"I can't help it," he says finally, stepping closer. "You make me worry."
The space between us shrinks. The air feels different — heavier, charged. His voice softens, and that's what makes it worse.
"You don't see what I see," he says. "How people look at you. How they talk to you. They don't deserve to."
"Eli…"
He moves a fraction closer, close enough that I can feel his breath when he speaks. "I just need you safe. That's all I want."
It *sounds* gentle, but there's something possessive threaded through every word — a quiet, invisible claim.
My pulse stutters. "You can't keep showing up like this."
He doesn't move away. His eyes search mine, like he's trying to find the part of me that still believes he means well.
"Then tell me to leave," he says softly.
The words hang in the air — a challenge, a dare.
But I don't say it.
Because I can't.
He sees that hesitation. I see the satisfaction flicker across his face.
He takes a slow breath, like he's memorizing the moment, then finally steps back. "See? You don't want me gone."
And just like that, he's gone — leaving the door open, the air cold, and my heart racing for reasons I don't want to admit.
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