Thalia finally blinked.
"Thalia?" William called again, his voice steady, even though his body remained slightly on guard as he sat at the edge of the bed, the paper bag already placed on the side table.
"Oh—gosh!"
Her delayed reaction made both of them flinch at the same time, neither expecting the other to react like that.
A brief, awkward silence followed.
Thalia pushed herself up slightly, her hair just slightly messy from sleep, her gaze still a little unfocused as she tried to process what was happening.
"Did you…" she started, then stopped, blinking again. "Just come back?"
William nodded, a faint flash of relief passing through his eyes before he could hide it.
"Why?" he asked, almost casually. "Did you wait for me?"
He hadn't expected an answer.
But, Thalia nodded just like that.
Looking at him with an almost innocent expression that made him pause for a second longer than he should have.
"I see."
A few seconds passed.
