Serenity and peace—that's what it looks like on the surface.
Beneath it all, waves crash and surge with true emotion.
Joel's handsome and refined face, even hidden under a layer of stubble, couldn't mask his charm. Yet, his reserved and awkward demeanor kept his head down, hiding his face from view. His low-key, introverted aura made it easy for him to be swallowed up by the crowd.
Until now—
Joel lifted his chin slightly, burying his nose deeply in Clementine's hair. His brows furrowed, a mixture of pain and struggle flickering across his features as he found himself slipping further into the push and pull of reason and emotion.
His handsome face came alive, tangled and vivid with emotion. There was a hint of vulnerability beneath his rugged exterior and a sliver of longing hidden within his fear. Like the wings of a butterfly trembling on a flower, a ray of sunlight broke through the cloudy sky.
Breath-taking, leaving one in awe—
"Beauty lies in the bones, not the skin."
In front of everyone, the struggle and pull within that man's memory leaked out for just a moment.
In an instant, it took everyone's breath away, including Michelle's, who was watching intently.
Despite there being two people in front of them, and one constantly chattering, everyone's gaze fell on the silent figure, unable to look away.
But Joel didn't notice. He was lost in his own turmoil, too distracted to hear what Clementine was saying.
His consciousness was slipping away from his body—
He closed his eyes, his heartbeat thundering. It was so intense, so fierce, so rapid, that it felt like his heart might explode, with a faint sense of pain.
That longing was unbearable in its intensity.
Sometimes, even when the other person is in your arms, you miss them madly; sometimes, even when they're right beside you, you still yearn for them; sometimes, without knowing how it started, you've already fallen.
Joel was both panicked and afraid.
This emotion was so strong it threatened to consume him.
He didn't know where it came from or how to identify it. The tangled emotions and subtle sting made no sense to him, breaking down his logic and will with such intensity it was like a free fall from a great height.
It was all too strong, violently disrupting the order in his mind.
Joel was in a panic.
He clenched his jaw, opened his eyes, his pupils shaking. Afraid of being noticed, not knowing how to react, he lowered his eyes, trying to conceal the storm within them, abruptly breaking the atmosphere.
"Uh, but..."
"I should go."
Blunt, direct, even somewhat crude, rudely destroying the mood.
But Joel had no better way. He needed to leave before that emotion completely consumed him.
He didn't expect Clementine to react so assertively, grabbing his left arm and pulling him back.
"You should stay."
Clementine looked deep into Joel's eyes, excitement gleaming within her gaze.
Joel froze, looking into the misty, ambiguous look in Clementine's eyes, completely flustered.
"Okay."
The affirmative response was on the tip of his tongue, almost biting down. "...No." In the end, Joel corrected himself, "I... uh, I mean... I have to work early tomorrow."
He couldn't meet Clementine's eyes, nor could he wait for her response. Like he was running away, he stood up quickly and walked away.
One step. Two steps.
So heavy, yet so hurried, Joel forced himself to move quickly because he feared what might happen if he slowed down. Maybe he wouldn't be able to resist and turn back.
He knew, he remembered, that he had chosen to take a risk today. He had skipped work and broken his daily routine to try something new.
But now, things had gone too far, overwhelmingly so.
He needed to calm down, to escape, to retreat to his safe space and breathe.
At this point, Joel couldn't care about anything else. He didn't care how he appeared in Clementine's eyes. He was like a headless fly, aimlessly circling the room, awkward and clumsy, even a bit pitiful.
After two circles, Joel finally found the coat rack. He quickly grabbed his coat, fumbling to put it on.
The more he rushed, the worse it got.
Clementine followed him.
Joel had expected her to be upset or even angry at how he treated her, but she wasn't.
Not at all. In fact, Clementine was smiling, watching Joel with joy.
Joel felt awkward. He glanced at her quickly but lowered his gaze, trying to shove his arm into the sleeve.
Clementine watched, her eyes overflowing with amusement, biting her lower lip as she took in Joel's struggle.
"I hope you'll call me."
Joel: ???
"Can you?"
Clementine was serious. Without waiting for an answer, she picked up a pen and looked at Joel with wide eyes, signaling him with her gaze.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Step by step, Clementine showed unbelievable initiative, tilting her head slightly to observe Joel like she was admiring a masterpiece.
Joel noticed her intense gaze.
He looked at her, quickly glanced away, but couldn't resist looking again.
"Okay." He finally couldn't refuse.
Clementine's smile bloomed like a flower, stepping closer to Joel.
Joel instinctively stepped back.
Clementine grabbed his left hand, bit the pen cap off, and quickly wrote her number in his palm.
Involuntarily, Joel looked up, meeting Clementine's eyes from beneath his brow. It was as if she had predicted his shyness and awkwardness, and when she saw it, she burst into a smile.
A soft chuckle rumbled in her throat, her eyes full of playful teasing.
Joel's palm felt scorching hot. He pulled his hand back, not daring to look at Clementine. He muttered a quick "goodbye" and hurried out.
Open the door, leave, close the door.
It was all done in one swift motion.
Only a fleeting glimpse of his back was caught before the door closed. The sound echoed through the hallway and apartment, leaving a quiet stillness behind.
Clementine watched this unfold, not minding at all. Instead, she laughed silently, like a boy who teases the girl he likes in elementary school, finding joy in her blushing and flustered reaction.
Her heart leaped with excitement.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Clementine tossed the pen aside, sprinting across the apartment like a whirlwind. She opened the window and leaned out, smiling fully as she watched the first-floor door, waiting for that man.