A new silence fell, colder and more profound than any before it. The din of the dining hall, a constant roar just moments ago, faded to a distant hum. All that remained was the quiet, deliberate sound of their own heartbeat, a frantic rhythm that echoed the single, whispered question that hung in the air between them. Rhay's entire body went rigid, a fortress crumbling from the inside. He had thought about this moment, but never like this—a direct confrontation, here, now, in the public eye.
He leaned in, his voice a low, urgent whisper that was lost in the surrounding noise. "Not here," he said, the words barely a breath. "After the dishes. Meet me in the park." Vye gave a small, almost imperceptible nod as their meal group continued with their light-hearted chatter, completely oblivious to the intense exchange that had just passed between them.
The moment stretched on until everyone at the table finished their meal. As was the routine, the boys collected their dishes and gave them to the girls for the night's dishwashing duty. After giving his, Rhay nodded to the rest of the group and walked away, the crowded hall feeling colder and emptier than the dark night outside. Vye watched him go, a mix of relief and dread settling in her stomach. She joined her friends for the dishwashing rotation, her movements automatic, her mind replaying the urgency in his voice as the minutes seemed to stretch on into hours.
As soon as she was free, she walked unhurriedly, the path from the dorms to the park feeling like a journey into a different world. She found him waiting, a lone figure under the pale glow of a streetlamp, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The park, silent and still, felt like a sacred space, a world away from the noise and chaos of their lives. Rhay led her to a quiet bench beneath a large, old tree. The leaves rustled in a soft breeze as they sat down, the air between them thick with all the words that had gone unsaid.
He turned to face her, his hands clasped loosely in his lap, his expression open and ready. "Okay," he began, his voice low and calm. "What do you want to know about Claire?"
Vye shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her gaze dropping to the ground for a moment. She took a small, shaky breath before looking back at him. Her voice was quiet, but firm. "Were you two in love?"
He didn't hesitate. "Well... yeah." As the question went straight to the core, he answered it with a quiet, devastating simplicity. Then he looked at her, his eyes an open invitation for her to continue.
Vye's heart sank, a cold weight settling in her chest. She had hoped for a different answer, a denial that would prove her fears wrong. The silence between them stretched, filled with the loud hum of the park at night.
She took a shaky breath, the profound silence pressing in on her, and the words slipped out, barely a whisper. "Then... why are you with me?"
"That's... different. I don't know how to explain it to you." Rhay's words trailed off, leaving him utterly speechless. He looked at her, his gaze pleading for a lifeline he couldn't even articulate. Vye watched his face, her own expression a mix of hurt and quiet resolve. She saw the desperation in his eyes, a look that pleaded for a way out.
She didn't look away, holding his gaze steadily. Her hand, resting on the bench between them, was ice-cold and trembled almost imperceptibly. "You said it's 'different'," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Tell me what's different about me."
Rhay reached for her hand, and his warm palm settled over the back of her cold, trembling hand, his thumb gently tracing the delicate curve of her fingers. "It's... already in the past." He took a small, shaky breath as he searched for the words. "I know this sounds unbelievable, but please, give me time to prove it with you, with my actions, not words." He looked at her, his eyes filled with a raw, pleading honesty. "You are... my future. Claire is just... my past."
Vye looked down at their hands, the knot of tension in her hand slowly dissolving under his warm palm. The words he was saying were vague, but the touch of his hand was concrete, a solid anchor in the swirling chaos of her mind. She felt the conflict between her fear and the unshakeable calm that had been with her all evening. She finally looked up, her gaze holding his. There was no defiance in her eyes, only a quiet, vulnerable understanding.
Her words were barely audible, but her actions were clear. She slowly turned her hand over—fingers curling around his—and gently guided their joined hands until her palm came to rest on top. "Actions, not words," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant hum of the dorms. She held his hand a little tighter, a silent promise that she was willing to take this leap of faith with him. "Okay, Rhay. I'll trust you."
Rhay let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He felt the invisible chain that held his chest so tightly suddenly snap. Her words weren't just an affirmation; they were a precious gift, one his past self knew was impossible to earn. The gratitude was so vast it felt like a silent prayer, and with it, the undeniable urge to tell her everything without a single word. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to her hand, a vow more sacred than any spoken oath.
The warmth of his lips sent a jolt through Vye's hand, a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold evening air. He raised his head to look at her again, now with a small, genuine smile on his lips, his hand holding hers tightly.
"Thank you." His words were simple, but the touch felt like a promise—a solemn vow. When he looked at her, the silent plea in his eyes was gone, replaced by a deep, unwavering sincerity. She squeezed his hand back, her heart pounding a soft, steady rhythm against her ribs. The last of her doubt seemed to melt away, leaving behind a simple, profound truth. She didn't know what the future held, but she trusted him.
"You're welcome," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant hum of the dorms. "I meant it."
"So, is there anything else you want to know?" Rhay asked, his eyes open and eager to share now that he had her trust. Vye's smile was soft and genuine, the first one that had truly reached her eyes all evening. She saw the honesty in his gaze, but she had already made her promise. She wasn't going to break that promise by asking for more words; her belief was all she needed from this moment.
She paused to let the warmth of their clasped hands spread through her body. "No," she said, her voice a calm and steady murmur. "Not with words." She gave his hand one last squeeze before releasing it. Taking a step, she turned her gaze toward the glowing lights of the main hall.
"Come on," she said, her smile broadening. "We'll be late for orientation."