CHAPTER 4
The next few days passed in a blur of quiet conversations, fleeting moments of connection, and gentle reassurances. Adena found herself drawn to Nova in a way she hadn't expected, her emotions swaying between trepidation and longing. It wasn't that she didn't trust Nova—she did, completely. But the idea of letting someone else in, of allowing herself to be vulnerable with them, was still foreign, still scary.
And yet, with Nova, it didn't feel like a burden. It felt like a choice she could make, without fear of judgment, without the weight of the past bearing down on her every move.
One evening, after a particularly long day, Adena found herself sitting at the kitchen table, absentmindedly stirring her tea while Nova sorted through her things. The soft hum of the city outside their apartment window seemed to fade into the background as the two of them fell into an easy silence, one that had become comfortable over time.
Finally, Nova broke the stillness, her voice light but filled with warmth. "So, what are we doing this weekend? I've got a few ideas if you're up for it."
Adena looked up, her lips curling into a small smile. "I don't know. What do you have in mind?"
"Well," Nova said, leaning against the counter with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "how do you feel about taking a little trip? A weekend getaway, just the two of us. Some quiet time away from the noise."
Adena's heart skipped at the idea, and she could feel a little thrill bubbling up inside her. It was spontaneous, unexpected. But maybe that's exactly what she needed right now. A chance to step outside of her comfort zone, to explore a side of herself that had been locked away for so long.
"Where were you thinking?" she asked, her voice tentative but intrigued.
"I've got a place in mind," Nova said with a wink. "It's not far, just a little cabin by the lake. Quiet, peaceful. Just what you need."
Adena considered it for a moment. A weekend away—away from everything and everyone, just the two of them. The idea felt like a breath of fresh air. She didn't have to think too hard about it. There was something about the thought of escaping, if only for a little while, that seemed to promise a sense of freedom she had been craving.
"I think... I think that sounds perfect," Adena said finally, the smile on her lips widening as she met Nova's eyes.
Nova's grin widened, the spark in her eyes lighting up with joy. "It's settled then. I'll take care of the details."
As the days passed and the weekend trip drew closer, Adena found herself anxiously anticipating the time away. It wasn't about running from her life or avoiding her emotions—it was more about taking a moment to breathe, to let herself be, without the pressure of everything else. She'd been carrying so much for so long, she had forgotten what it felt like to simply be in the moment, to just live.
And maybe, just maybe, being away with Nova would allow her to take that first step—towards understanding herself, towards trusting again, towards something that felt like hope.
The day of the trip finally arrived. Adena packed her bag with the basics: clothes, toiletries, a good book, and a few other essentials. As she zipped up her suitcase, she realized that this wasn't just about getting away. It was about taking a chance on herself, and maybe on Nova too. It was about letting herself believe that something good could happen, something real.
The drive to the cabin was peaceful, with the rhythmic hum of the tires on the road and the occasional light conversation between them. Adena glanced at Nova from time to time, trying to read her, but Nova seemed completely at ease, content in the quiet. It made Adena feel a little more relaxed, the tension in her shoulders easing with each passing mile.
When they finally arrived at the cabin, it was everything Nova had promised: cozy, tucked away in the woods, with a view of the lake just beyond the porch. It was the kind of place where you could leave your worries behind, where time seemed to slow down.
They unpacked quickly, then spent the afternoon outside, sitting by the water, watching the sunset paint the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. It was peaceful in a way that felt almost surreal, like the world was holding its breath just for them.
As the evening settled in and the stars began to twinkle above them, Adena found herself feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. There were no pressures here, no expectations. It was just her and Nova, in this quiet space, finding solace in each other's company.
And for the first time in a long time, Adena let herself be present. Not thinking about the past. Not worrying about what might come next. Just breathing in the moment, feeling the warmth of Nova beside her.
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Adena stirred against the soft cushion of the couch, momentarily disoriented until the soft murmur of voices reminded her where she was.
Nova was in the kitchen, laughing quietly over a call, her voice light and easy in a way that made Adena's heart tug strangely. She sat up, stretching, and caught Nova's eye. Nova gave her a smile — one that felt so personal, so warm, it sent a flutter straight through her.
Nova mouthed, "Coffee?" and Adena nodded.
As she padded over, still wrapped in the comfort of the night before, Nova ended the call and turned toward her. "Hope you don't mind," Nova said, handing her a mug. "I was talking to my friends. They're coming over later. Thought it might be good for you to meet some new faces."
Adena hesitated, fingers tightening around the mug. New people. New energy. A new chance to either get it right or retreat into herself again.
Nova must've seen the hesitation because she added quickly, "Only if you're comfortable. No pressure."
Adena looked at her — really looked — at the soft way Nova stood there, giving her room to breathe, not pushing, not demanding. Just offering.
"I think… I could try," Adena said softly.
Nova's smile widened, and before she could second-guess herself, Nova leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Adena's forehead. It was quick, gentle, but Adena felt it like a spark across her skin — something that lit a tiny, tentative fire inside her.
"You're doing amazing," Nova murmured against her hairline.
Adena closed her eyes for a second, letting herself absorb it. Letting herself believe it.
Later that afternoon, there was a knock on the door. Adena found herself perched nervously on the arm of the couch, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her jeans.
Nova opened the door, and two people spilled in — both smiling, both easy in their movements. A woman with short curly hair and a mischievous grin, and a tall guy with round glasses and an armful of what looked like board games.
"This is Zoe and Micah," Nova introduced, gesturing between them.
"Nice to meet you!" Zoe said, her grin widening as she pulled Adena into a friendly, non-intrusive hug. "Nova's told us so much about you."
"Only good things, I swear," Micah added with a mock-serious expression, making them all laugh.
Adena felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. These weren't people who needed performances. They seemed real, easygoing — a reflection of Nova herself.
As the afternoon unfolded, they ordered pizza, played a chaotic board game Adena couldn't entirely follow but still laughed through, and swapped embarrassing stories about Nova (much to Nova's mock horror). Adena found herself easing into the group without even realizing it — laughing, talking, letting her guard down in small, precious ways.
At one point, Zoe nudged her gently and whispered, "You're good for her, you know."
Adena blinked, taken aback. "I — we're just friends," she said quickly.
Zoe's smile didn't falter. "Sure. Friends. For now." She winked and turned back to the game.
Adena's heart thudded strangely in her chest as she stole a glance at Nova, who was arguing animatedly with Micah over the rules. There was something terrifyingly sweet about how easily Nova fit into her life — or maybe, how easily Adena found herself wanting to fit into Nova's.
And that scared her more than anything else.
The evening wound down slowly, the kind of easy, lingering goodnight that meant no one really wanted to leave. But eventually, after one last dramatic board game rematch that Zoe lost spectacularly, Micah and Zoe grabbed their jackets and said their goodbyes.
"Don't be a stranger, okay?" Zoe said, pulling Adena into another quick hug at the door. "You're one of us now."
Adena smiled, feeling a small warmth bloom in her chest. "Thanks. I had a great time."
When the door finally closed behind them, the apartment seemed to exhale — the quiet settling back in.
Nova turned to her, a playful glint still in her eyes. "So… that wasn't so bad, right?"
Adena laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "No. Actually… it was really nice. They're good people."
"They are," Nova said, stepping closer. Her voice lowered just a touch, softer, almost testing the air between them. "I'm glad you stayed."
There was a beat — a long, quiet second where Adena's heart thudded in her chest a little harder than usual.
She could step back. She could crack a joke, change the subject, shield herself like she always did.
But something inside her — fragile but stubborn — didn't want to run tonight.
Instead, she looked up at Nova, and without meaning to, her gaze flickered down to her mouth. The soft curve of her lips. The warmth in her eyes.
Nova noticed. Adena knew she did. But instead of making a move, Nova just smiled gently, closing the distance a little more.
"You look tired," Nova said, her voice like a velvet thread between them. "C'mere."
Before Adena could overthink it, Nova reached out, wrapping her arms around her in a slow, careful hug. Not rushed. Not demanding. Just there.
Adena melted against her, resting her head on Nova's shoulder, breathing in the faint, comforting scent of her shampoo.
Nova whispered, almost against her hair, "You don't have to be anything but yourself with me."
Adena squeezed her eyes shut, the weight of those words hitting deeper than she expected.
When they finally pulled apart, Nova pressed another soft kiss — feather-light — to Adena's forehead, just like before.
Only this time, Adena tilted her face up just slightly, almost without thinking. Almost inviting… something more.
Nova noticed. Oh, she noticed.
But she didn't push. She just smiled, brushing her thumb lightly across Adena's cheek before stepping back.
"Sleep, Adena," she said quietly. "I'll be right here."
Adena swallowed thickly, heart hammering, but nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak.
That night, as she curled under a blanket on the couch, Nova taking the nearby chair, Adena realized something terrifying and beautiful all at once.
She was already falling.
W
The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds in gentle slats, warming the apartment with a lazy golden hue. Adena stirred beneath the blanket, the familiar stiffness of sleeping on the couch making itself known in the ache along her shoulders.
She blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. For a moment, there was only stillness — a cocoon of quiet where the rest of the world didn't exist.
And then she saw Nova.
Curled up in the chair beside her, a blanket draped over her lap, Nova was still sleeping, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Her hair was a tousled mess, the early sun painting delicate highlights across the strands.
Adena smiled without meaning to, a small, helpless thing.
There was something disarming about seeing Nova like this — soft, unguarded. It made her chest ache in a way that was still unfamiliar. Tenderness, maybe. Or something dangerously close to it.
Quietly, she sat up, careful not to make too much noise.
But Nova must have sensed the movement because her eyes fluttered open, still hazy with sleep.
"Hey," Nova murmured, her voice rough and low. "You okay?"
Adena nodded, tucking her legs beneath her. "Yeah. Just didn't mean to wake you."
Nova stretched lazily, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Mmm, no complaints. Best sleep I've had in weeks."
They both laughed quietly, the sound filling the space between them, easy and natural.
Adena hesitated, fiddling with the edge of the blanket.
She didn't want the moment to end. She didn't want the morning to slip into something ordinary and forgettable.
Nova must have sensed that too because she sat forward slightly, her expression growing more serious.
"Hey," she said, voice gentle. "Can I tell you something?"
Adena's heart stumbled a beat. She nodded.
Nova looked down at her hands for a moment, as if choosing her words carefully.
"You don't have to rush anything with me," she said softly. "I know you're still figuring things out. Your heart, your space. I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to be ready for anything you're not ready for."
The words washed over Adena like a balm — steady, grounding.
No pressure. No demands. Just… patience.
She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat, feeling something inside her shift.
"I'm scared," Adena admitted in a whisper. It was the first time she'd said it out loud, the first time she dared to name the trembling thing living in her chest.
Nova smiled — a real, heart-deep smile — and reached out, brushing her fingers lightly across Adena's knuckles.
"It's okay to be scared," Nova said. "You're doing everything right."
Adena didn't move away from the touch. She didn't hide from it.
Instead, she let herself lean into it — just a little.
And for the first time in a long time, Adena realized that maybe fear didn't have to mean running.
Maybe it could mean staying. Trusting. Choosing to believe that some people wouldn't leave her wrecked.
Nova squeezed her hand gently, and Adena squeezed back.
The day was just beginning.
And so was something else — something fragile, hopeful, and entirely theirs.
After a while, Nova pulled her hand back and stretched with a playful groan. "Okay, so... I know it's kind of last minute," she said, her eyes twinkling, "but there's this little bookshop café a few blocks away. They do this lazy Saturday morning thing — books, coffee, live acoustic music."
Adena looked at her, warmth unfurling slowly in her chest.
Nova shrugged, suddenly shy. "No pressure. We could just hang out, grab coffee. Or browse and judge terrible book covers together. Very low stakes."
Adena laughed — a real laugh — and felt the last bit of her hesitation loosen.
It wasn't a heavy, intimidating invitation. It wasn't about making declarations or defining anything.
It was just Nova, offering her a piece of normalcy. A piece of peace.
"I'd like that," Adena said, surprising herself with how easy the words came.
Nova's whole face lit up. She stood, brushing down her rumpled clothes. "Awesome. Get dressed. I'll meet you at the door in ten?"
Adena nodded, feeling a flutter she couldn't quite name settle low in her stomach.
As Nova turned to head to the bathroom to freshen up, she paused at the edge of the room. She hesitated — just for a beat — before stepping back to Adena.
Without thinking too hard, Nova leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Adena's forehead.
It was tender, almost reverent.
"I'm really glad you're letting me be here," Nova whispered against her skin.
And before Adena could gather herself enough to respond, Nova smiled again — that heart-melting, slightly crooked smile — and disappeared down the hall.
Adena sat there for a long moment, fingers drifting to where Nova's lips had touched her forehead.
It was dangerous, how much she already wanted more.
But maThe air outside was crisp, and the sun was just starting to climb higher, spilling golden light over the streets. Adena pulled on her jacket, not quite sure what to expect, but there was a lightness in her step she hadn't felt in weeks — maybe even months.
She found herself walking with a little more ease than usual, catching a glimpse of Nova's smile as they strolled side by side. The bookshop café wasn't too far, but with Nova next to her, the short walk felt almost effortless.
As they entered the café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and old paper filled the air. The space was small, cozy — bookshelves lining the walls, each shelf crammed with novels, poetry collections, and hidden gems. The light filtering in through the windows bounced off the wooden floors, casting a glow that softened everything it touched.
Nova led the way to a table near the window, where a couple of acoustic guitarists were strumming softly in the corner. Their music was mellow, like a soundtrack to the quiet morning.
"Perfect," Nova said, dropping her bag beside her chair, "They've got a new poetry collection I've been eyeing."
Adena smiled, feeling the energy shift as she sat across from Nova. The table was small, but their proximity felt comfortable — nothing forced, just two people settling into something nice.
"So, what's been on your mind lately?" Nova asked, her tone casual but warm, as she took a sip from her coffee. "What's been keeping you up at night?"
Adena tilted her head, surprised by the question. It wasn't intrusive, just... curious. Like Nova wanted to know her without pushing.
"Honestly?" Adena shrugged, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "I think... I'm just trying to figure out what's next. Like, I'm so used to controlling everything — planning it, making sure it's all perfect. But it's exhausting."
Nova nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Yeah. It's hard, isn't it? The constant need to have everything figured out. But maybe... maybe not knowing is okay, too."
Adena met her eyes. "I'm learning that," she said quietly, "I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with it yet."
Nova leaned forward slightly, her voice softening. "It's okay to not have everything figured out. Life isn't some checklist. You're not supposed to have it all together at once."
There was a quiet understanding in her voice, a kindness that felt like it was meant only for Adena in that moment.
Adena's heart skipped a beat, and she looked away, her fingers still tracing the edge of her cup, trying to keep her composure. But inside, something was shifting.
As the two of them sat there, talking about everything and nothing, Adena realized that Nova was making it easier to breathe — easier to think, easier to feel. The space between them had always been there, but now it felt like it was gradually disappearing, little by little, until it was just them — here, now.
The soft music in the background, the scent of coffee, the simple presence of Nova — all of it wrapped around her like a protective shield, but it also made her feel exposed. It was subtle, but it was there, stirring something deep inside her.
Nova smiled again, her eyes meeting Adena's with that same gentle curiosity. "What about you? What do you really want, Adena?"
Adena felt the weight of the question settle in, the way Nova's gaze lingered on her, waiting for an answer that felt... important. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Instead, she simply reached for her coffee, taking a long sip to calm the flutter in her chest.
It was clear. She wasn't just figuring out what she wanted in life anymore. She was figuring out how to want again. How to trust, how to let someone in.
The tension in the air between them wasn't uncomfortable. It was like a magnet, drawing her in without any real force, just a gentle pull she couldn't resist.
Nova shifted in her seat, her hand resting casually on the table, fingers just barely brushing against Adena's. The touch was brief, but it lingered in a way that made her heart race. It was easy to ignore at first — a friendly gesture — but the heat between them was undeniable.
Adena's breath caught, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. She pulled her hand back slightly, trying to regain some control over the sudden rush of feelings, but Nova didn't move away. She kept her hand there, fingertips hovering just an inch from Adena's, like she was waiting for something.
Adena glanced at Nova, unsure of what to say. The tension was so thick, it felt like it might break the delicate balance between them. But then, Nova smiled softly, almost as if she understood the unspoken struggle inside Adena.
And in that moment, with the music in the background, the books around them, and the quiet presence of Nova at her side, Adena realized that maybe it wasn't about rushing. Maybe it was about letting things unfold slowly — just as they were.
But for the first time in a long time, she didn't mind the uncertainty. It felt good, in a way she couldn't quite explain. Safe. Real.
She just had to be brave enough to see where it could go.
ybe... maybe some dangers were worth the risk.
The café began to fill with a quiet buzz — the mid-morning crowd shuffling in, ordering their coffees, settling into corners with books and laptops. But for Adena, the world felt narrowed down to the small table by the window and the girl sitting across from her.
She glanced at Nova again — at her soft curls falling just slightly into her eyes, the way she tilted her head when she listened, like every word mattered. Adena tried not to focus on the fullness of Nova's lips, the way they curved when she smiled or the calm confidence in her voice. But her eyes kept drifting. And with each glance, her guard wavered, just a little more.
"You okay?" Nova asked, eyes sparkling with amusement.
Adena blinked, caught. "Yeah. Sorry. I spaced for a second."
Nova smirked. "Hope I wasn't boring you."
"No," Adena said, more quickly than she meant to. "It's the opposite, actually."
There was a beat of silence, and then Nova leaned back in her chair with a grin. "You're cute when you're flustered."
Adena laughed, but it came out soft — half-nervous, half-sincere. "Don't say stuff like that."
"Why not?" Nova asked, chin in hand, eyes not breaking away. "You deserve to hear it."
Before Adena could find a reply, the café door swung open, and two figures stepped inside — a tall, broad guy with a septum ring and a shorter girl with turquoise box braids and a rainbow hoodie. Nova lit up instantly.
"Oh! That's my crew," she said, waving them over.
Adena straightened a little, unsure if she was ready to meet people yet — Nova's people. But the moment they reached the table, all that anxiety was cut with warmth.
"Hey!" Nova said, standing up to hug them both. "Adena, this is Sam and Liv. Sam does spoken word, and Liv runs that queer art collective I told you about."
"Finally!" Liv said, flopping into the seat next to Adena. "Nova's told us so much about you. I was starting to think she made you up."
Sam chuckled and slid into the remaining seat. "She talks about you all the time. It's borderline annoying."
Nova rolled her eyes, "You're both dramatic."
Adena smiled — hesitant at first, but easing into it. There was no pressure here, no probing questions or fake interest. Just genuine warmth. Liv launched into a hilarious story about a drag bingo night gone wrong, while Sam pulled out a battered notebook and casually read a few lines of his latest piece.
And all the while, Nova would look at Adena — not in a way that made her nervous, but in a way that reminded her: I'm here. You're safe.
Eventually, as the conversation lulled and Sam and Liv stepped away to browse books, Nova turned back to her.
"I like seeing you with them," she said quietly. "You fit in."
Adena exhaled slowly. "I didn't think I would. But… I do."
Nova didn't say anything. She just leaned in, her expression gentle, and pressed a kiss to Adena's forehead — slow, reverent.
It lingered.
And something in Adena's chest bloomed.
Later that afternoon, they strolled through the art market not far from the café — stalls blooming with colorful prints, handmade jewelry, bold fabrics, and incense that clung to the breeze. Nova's hand brushed against Adena's a few times, always casually, never lingering too long, but enough to send sparks rushing through her veins.
Adena was beginning to feel something she hadn't in a long time: the ease of presence. Just being. Not having to perform, or brace for disappointment. She let herself laugh more freely. She let her shoulders relax. She let herself lean, just slightly, into Nova.
Then she heard it.
"Adena?"
The name hit her ears like a stone dropped in a still pond — small, but rippling with force.
She froze.
Nova turned too, brows gently lifting as she followed Adena's line of sight.
Standing by a stand of beaded bracelets was Chloe — her old roommate from the city. From the time when everything had gone wrong. The last time they'd spoken, Chloe had been yelling, betrayal in her voice.
It wasn't that Chloe had done something unforgivable. It was that Chloe had known — known what Andrew had done, known how broken Adena had become, and still chose to stand beside him while blaming her for unraveling.
Adena's breath caught in her throat.
"Adena, wow," Chloe said again, walking over. She was dressed in city sleek — fitted jeans, boots too expensive for the dust, and sunglasses perched in her curls. "I thought that was you."
Nova instinctively stepped slightly in front of Adena — not protective in an obvious way, but solid. Present.
Adena forced a breath out. "Chloe."
"It's been forever," Chloe said. "You look… different. In a good way. Happier." Her eyes flicked briefly to Nova, then back. "Didn't think I'd see you around here. Small world."
"What do you want?" Adena asked, voice clipped.
Chloe blinked, as if taken aback by the coldness. "Nothing. Just being polite. Didn't realize that was a crime."
Nova's hand found Adena's — not tightly, just enough to let her know: I'm right here. If you need to walk away, we walk.
"You were never just polite," Adena said, trying to keep her voice even. "You knew what you were doing back then. You chose your side."
Chloe's smile faltered. "Adena… people were hurting. It wasn't black and white."
"It was," Adena said, her heart pounding now. "It was exactly black and white. And you left me in the dark."
Nova gently squeezed her hand. Adena felt her pulse steady, just enough to take a step back.
"I've moved on," she said finally, voice firmer now. "So whatever you're trying to stir up? Not today."
Chloe's lips parted like she wanted to say more, but then she seemed to catch herself. She nodded once, eyes hardening just a little, and turned back toward the booths.
Nova didn't speak right away. She just stood beside her in silence until Adena's breathing slowed.
"I didn't expect that," Adena murmured.
"I know," Nova said softly. "But you handled it."
Adena turned to look at her. "I'm tired of pretending people like her didn't hurt me."
Nova nodded. "Then stop pretending."
Adena took one last look at Chloe's fading silhouette before turning fully toward Nova again. "Can we go somewhere quiet?"
"Always," Nova said, squeezing her hand again. "Let's get out of here."
And they walked off together, leaving the past to crumble behind them.