Chapter 28: When Words Were Enough
The days stretched ahead like a ribbon of soft light, each one promising something new between us. The world seemed quieter, more delicate—as if it was waiting just for our story to unfold.
I woke up to the gentle hum of the morning, the sunlight pouring through my window like warm honey. For the first time in a long time, my heart didn't ache with loneliness. It fluttered instead, light and hopeful.
When I got to school, I found Oriana waiting for me by the gate, her hair catching the breeze, eyes bright with something unspoken.
"Good morning," she said softly.
"Morning," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
We walked together through the halls, a silent promise hanging between us, a thread weaved with laughter, shy glances, and stolen touches. Every moment felt like a secret, a precious thing that belonged only to us.
During class, I caught her looking at me once, and when our eyes met, she smiled—a smile that made the whole room fade away.
At lunch, we sat beneath the cherry blossom tree, petals falling like confetti around us. She pulled out a small notebook from her bag, worn at the edges, and handed it to me.
"It's my journal," she said, cheeks flushed. "I write when I don't know how to say what I'm feeling."
I opened it carefully. The pages were filled with delicate handwriting, poems and sketches, thoughts about the sky, the rain, and the way the world looked through her eyes.
"Can I read one?" I asked.
She nodded, and I found a poem about two stars meeting in the night sky—how their light touched and changed the darkness around them.
"It's beautiful," I said softly.
"Like us," she whispered.
I reached out and squeezed her hand, feeling the warmth spread between us.
After school, we walked to the little park nearby. The sun was setting, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple. We found a quiet bench under a maple tree and sat close, our shoulders touching.
"I've been scared to tell you something," Oriana said suddenly, her voice trembling.
"What is it?"
She took a deep breath. "That I'm afraid of losing you."
I turned to face her, surprised. "Why would you lose me?"
"Because feelings can change," she said, eyes glistening. "People change."
I shook my head. "I don't want to change. I want to be with you. Always."
Her smile was small but certain. "I want that too."
The sky grew darker, the stars blinking awake. We sat wrapped in silence, a soft peace settling between us.
When it was time to go, she leaned her head on my shoulder. "Thank you for being here."
"Thank you for letting me in."
I kissed the top of her head gently, the world narrowing down to just the two of us.
That night, I couldn't sleep. I wrote in my own journal, trying to capture the swirl of feelings Oriana stirred inside me—the hope, the fear, the joy.
"I don't know what tomorrow holds, but with her by my side, I'm ready to face anything."