Xavier stared at his phone longer than he meant to.
Hinata's name sat there on the screen, simple and quiet—just like the way she slipped into his thoughts when he least expected it. He told himself not to text. He told himself she needed space. That timing mattered.
But then he remembered the way she'd smiled that afternoon. Softer. Braver.
So he typed.
Xavier:
Hey. Did you get home okay?
The message sent before he could overthink it.
On the other side of town, Hinata lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, when her phone buzzed. She frowned, then sat up.
Hinata:
Yeah. Just got in. You?
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Xavier:
Good. Just wanted to check.
She smiled at the screen—small, surprised.
Hinata:
Thanks. That's… nice of you.
There was a pause. Longer this time.
Xavier:
You don't have to reply if you're tired.
She hugged her pillow, fingers hovering.
Hinata:
I'm not tired.
Another pause.
Xavier:
I like hanging out with you.
With you and Clavin. But… yeah. Mostly you.
Her heart skipped—not hard, just enough to notice.
Hinata:
I like it too.
She added, before she could stop herself:
Hinata:
You're easy to be around.
Xavier exhaled slowly, a smile finally breaking through where no one could see it.
Xavier:
I'm glad.
And—just so you know—I'm not in a rush about anything.
She read that twice. Then a third time.
Hinata:
Thank you. That means a lot.
They didn't text much after that. No long conversation. No late-night confessions.
Just one last message.
Xavier:
Sleep well, Hinata.
She placed her phone down, heart warm, thoughts quiet.
For the first time in a long while, she fell asleep smiling—
not because of what was said,
but because of everything that was gently left unsaid.