Chapter 11: Lingering Doubts
Friday evening.
The apartment was dimly lit, a single lamp casting a soft glow across the room.
I was sitting at the desk, flipping through my notes, trying to focus.
But my thoughts kept drifting to Alex.
He appeared in the doorway, holding a stack of papers.
"Here… I thought you might need these," he said quietly.
"Thanks," I replied, taking them.
Our fingers brushed briefly, and my chest tightened.
He didn't sit down. Instead, he lingered, watching me arrange the papers.
There was something unreadable in his eyes—softness, maybe, but also a hint of caution.
I wanted to speak, to break the tension, but the words caught in my throat.
Instead, I muttered, "You don't have to stay here…"
"I know," he said, voice low.
"But I want to."
I felt my heart skip.
I wanted to look at him, to reach for him, but… hesitation held me back.
Then, almost accidentally, our knees touched.
Just a slight brush.
But it was enough to make me freeze.
Alex's eyes flicked to mine, searching, testing.
I looked away, pretending to focus on the papers, but my hands shook slightly.
"Ethan… are you… avoiding me?" he asked softly.
I swallowed hard.
"I… I'm not sure what I'm feeling," I admitted.
His lips curved into a faint, understanding smile.
"Neither am I," he whispered.
"And maybe that's okay… for now."
The air between us was thick with unspoken words.
A mix of tension, curiosity, and something deeper—something we both weren't ready to name.
I finally looked up, and for a brief moment, our eyes met.
No words.
Just a silent acknowledgment that this closeness, this pull between us, was growing stronger.
---