x
A faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips as my phone buzzed with a notification from him. After what felt like days of silence, there it was—the small, yet significant ping that meant I could finally talk to him. A wave of relief washed over me, mixed with a flutter of excitement I hadn’t realized I’d been holding in. I had been waiting for this moment, unsure if he'd reach out or if I'd have to make the first move. But now, the waiting is over. I glanced at the screen, my heart beating just a little faster, as the anticipation of our conversation settled in. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05SDhoI4U7
Although, that smile on my face quickly faded as my eyes scanned his message. The words were brief, cold, and far from the warmth I had hoped for. It felt like a wall had suddenly gone up between us—something stark and impersonal. The excitement I’d been holding onto slipped away, leaving a strange emptiness behind. For a moment, I just stared at the screen, unsure how to respond. But instead of replying, I found myself slipping into my coat and grabbing my car keys. I knew him too well—too well to ignore the meaning behind that cold, detached message. It wasn’t about me, not really. I’d seen this before, the walls he put up when he wasn’t doing okay. That dry, emotionless text was his way of hiding, of pulling back when things were too heavy. He never could express when he was struggling, but I could always read between the lines. And so, without a second thought, I headed for the door. Something told me he wasn’t just distant—he was drowning in silence, and I couldn’t leave him to face it alone.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpKljZbGig
For a brief moment, doubt crept in, tugging at me with unexpected force. I paused, hesitating at the door, the weight of my decision suddenly heavy in my hands. Should I really go to him? Would showing up, unannounced, only make things worse? I didn’t want to intrude or seem like I was pushing, especially when he was already retreating into himself. Maybe he needed space, maybe my presence would only make him feel cornered. The last thing I wanted was to add pressure to whatever quiet storm he was battling.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoLXdD5Kpv
But then, I remembered how often he hid behind his walls, how he never asked for help, and how, sometimes, all he really needed was someone who understood.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZDPxqFSsX
I took a deep breath as I slid into the driver’s seat, my fingers gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary. The engine hummed to life, but inside, everything felt strangely still, as though the world had paused just for me to make this decision. Whatever I was about to do, whatever path I was choosing at that moment, I hoped it wouldn’t make things worse. I wasn’t even sure what I hoped for exactly—just that showing up wouldn’t complicate things, that somehow, it would help more than it hurt. But the uncertainty gnawed at me, and the quiet hum of the engine did little to calm the storm in my chest.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY2E1X0xXo
You’re not pushing me away this time. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1IqIEn0Kj
***
When I arrived, I saw him sitting on the front porch, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if trying to disappear into it. The sight hit me harder than I expected—a cold, distant stare that seemed to pierce through everything, even the fading light of the day. A heavy feeling settled in my chest, like a weight I couldn’t shake off. I was right; he wasn’t okay. I could feel it in my bones. For a moment, I just sat there, watching him from the car, debating with myself whether to go to him, to offer him some kind of comfort. But instead of pulling the door handle, I found myself turning the wheel, driving away. It was almost instinctive.
I parked at the nearby convenience store, my hands still shaking as I stepped out of the car. He wasn’t ready to talk—not yet. Maybe this small act of care would be enough, a reminder that I wasn’t going anywhere, even if he wasn’t ready to let anyone in. I picked up his favorite chocolates and, of course, ice cream. The familiar routine of it felt oddly comforting, like I was doing something right, even if I wasn’t sure what came next.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlBUQyJisc
I tossed the bags into the backseat, the chocolates and ice cream clinking softly as they landed. I couldn’t shake the tightness in my chest, the nagging fear that he might shut me out. What if he didn’t want me there? What if I showed up with my offering of comfort and he pushed me away, as he so often did when things got too overwhelming? I tried to push the thought aside, telling myself that at least I was trying—that showing up, no matter how uncertain or imperfect, was better than doing nothing. But even as I turned the car back onto the road, a quiet anxiety settled in. I hoped, more than anything, that he’d let me in, just this once.
***
“Come, I’m taking you somewhere.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY21uxykRnR
No pleasantries. No small talk. The words slipped out before I could second-guess myself. As soon as I stepped out of the car, my feet moved on their own, carrying me toward him. There was no intention to greet him with anything more than the quiet urgency in my step. I didn’t need to ask how he was or offer some hollow words of comfort. I just wanted him to know that I was here, that I wasn’t going to leave him sitting in that silence, in that distance.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFPtzwHKRf
I reached him, standing there beside him for a beat before I spoke again, “Come on, let’s go. Trust me.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22UCnPCRPU
There was a strange weight in the air between us, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away. He needed something—anything—to break the coldness, and maybe, just maybe, I could help with that. I didn’t know how or if he’d follow, but I was sure of one thing: I wasn’t leaving without him.
I started walking toward my car, the sound of my footsteps crunching against the gravel, hoping he’d follow, that he’d somehow sense the unspoken invitation. But after a few steps, I stopped in my tracks. A cold silence lingered, and when I glanced over my shoulder, I saw it—he was still standing there, rooted to the spot, not even an inch of movement.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsKU3qpLbX
My heart sank, and the sting of uncertainty crept back in. He wasn’t going to make this easy. I took a breath, turned around, and walked back to him, my pace slower this time, more deliberate. I stopped just in front of him and stooped down, so I could look him in the eye. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us felt thick, heavy with all the things he wasn’t saying. I lowered my voice, gentle but firm.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P8lDumdK5
"Where are we going?" He asked, finally having the courage to spill out a few words.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI6B9M9uye
“Trust me,” I said and smiled firmly. I waited, but he didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. I was here, and I wasn’t going anywhere. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu00TPdM5PM
After a moment of silence, the stillness between us thickened. I could see it in his eyes—he didn’t want to leave, not really, but the weight of whatever he was carrying kept him rooted in place. He was stuck in that quiet, unreachable space, but I wasn’t about to let him stay there. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnUwI0JnWN
Without thinking, I reached out, my hand wrapping gently around his wrist. It wasn’t forceful, but it was firm enough to let him know I wasn’t backing down. He hesitated for a second, as if debating whether to pull away or give in. But then, with a soft tug, I started walking, pulling him gently toward the car.
He didn’t fight me. He just followed, his movements slow, reluctant, but still there. And that was enough. The quiet, almost unspoken act of pulling him away from the porch, away from whatever dark thoughts had kept him chained there, felt like a small victory. We didn’t need to speak—sometimes, actions said everything.
***
“We’re here,” I said deliberately, my voice cutting through the silence that had stretched between us. He didn’t respond, of course. His gaze remained distant, fixed on the road ahead or perhaps, nothing at all. It was clear he wasn’t in the mood to talk, and that was fine. I wasn’t here to force anything out of him. Sometimes, the best thing you could do was simply be present, even in the quiet.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF59vzz2FUe
I parked the car and sat there for a moment, letting the engine idle, unsure of what would happen next. I glanced over at him, his expression unreadable. But I knew him well enough to understand that it wasn’t about what he said right now—it was about showing up when it mattered. And maybe, just maybe, that was all he needed.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJbCjfzKIV
***
"Shout, shout like there's no tomorrow," I said, my voice steady despite the uncertainty in my chest.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmM19AQhXO
I brought him to a spot I’d always found peace—a quiet hill on the edge of the city, where the lights below shimmered like a thousand tiny stars. It was a place where I could breathe, where the weight of everything seemed a little lighter. I’d hoped, maybe foolishly, that he might find some comfort here too.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcf13VZBzy
He looked at me, his brow furrowed, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. I could almost hear the question in his eyes: Are you out of your mind? I gave him a half-smile, already knowing he wasn’t going to be thrilled with this idea. "Do it like this," I said, stepping forward. Without waiting for him to say a word, I took a deep breath, threw my head back, and screamed at the top of my lungs.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkKGGII7nu
“F*CK THIS LIFE!”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie02gYkuwn
The words felt like they belonged to someone else, but somehow, they didn’t feel wrong. I screamed them with everything I had, letting the tension, the confusion, and the weight of everything I hadn’t said spill out. I wanted him to understand—he wasn’t alone. Not now, not ever.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIOqmOxgs5
I turned to him, still standing there, unsure of what to make of my outburst. “Don’t worry,” I added with a playful grin, “I’ll cover my ears, that way, I won’t really understand what you’re saying.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qF3v3vW5c
It was a small joke, but it carried a deeper message: You can shout, scream, vent—whatever you need to do. I’m right here.
I knew he wasn’t the type to open up easily. He always kept his walls up, hiding behind that quiet armor he wore so well. So, maybe this... this was the least I could do. Let him let it all out, without fear of judgment. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAGnMREoR1
I started covering my ears with my hands, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I closed off the world around me. I could feel the tension in my own chest, but I wanted to give him space—space to be as loud, as raw, as messy as he needed to be.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDqm3NTXUE
For a moment, there was nothing but silence, the kind that presses in from all sides. And then, a break in that stillness.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiJAdiKDhV
A scream.
It wasn’t loud at first—more like a low, guttural sound, as if he was testing the weight of his own voice. But then, it built. The noise became more real, more desperate, and it shattered the quiet like glass. I didn’t need to hear the words; I could feel everything in that scream—the anger, the frustration, the weight of things unsaid.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0lvPf6dMT
I stood there, eyes closed, my hands pressed tighter to my ears, but I could still feel the tremors of his voice vibrating through the air. He was shouting—really shouting. It wasn’t just the city lights that flickered in the distance now; it felt like the world itself had shifted, just a little bit, as if that release had let a bit of air into a room that had been sealed too tight.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSstXjo2kMQ
When it finally stopped, the silence that followed felt different. Not empty, but somehow... lighter.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tIFtSLNc4
I slowly uncovered my ears, letting the night seep back in. He stood there, panting slightly, his face flushed with the exertion of the release. His eyes were no longer distant—just tired, heavy with everything he hadn't said before. But there was a shift. Something had cracked open, just a bit.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEcPS1nuTg
I didn’t say anything. There was no need for words right now. We’d done something together, even if it was just screaming into the night, and for the first time in a while, I wasn’t sure if we were so alone in the world after all.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4v023yd4f
Once again, I reached out, gently taking his wrist, guiding him toward the bench nearby. He moved with a quiet reluctance, but he didn’t pull away. When he finally sat down, I could feel the smallest shift—maybe not in him, but in the air between us. It was different now. Not fixed, but not as heavy.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2mZEXNGcf
"Stay here, I’ll go get something," I said, my voice steady, though my chest still carried the faintest flutter of uncertainty. He nodded, but said nothing. I turned and walked back to my car, each step feeling like it mattered. I opened the back door, grabbed the bags, and felt the familiar weight of the chocolates and ice cream. It was a small gesture, but one that felt right. I didn’t know if it would help, but I knew it was something I could do.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtXyJfXc7y
When I returned, I handed him the chocolates first, the smooth, familiar wrapper a small reminder of the simple things that could sometimes bring comfort. "It’s your favorite," I said softly, watching him as he took them, eyes still distant, but I didn’t need him to say anything right away. "I bought an ice cream too, just in case you wanted it," I added, settling down on the bench a few inches away from him.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dOZiHL4SV
I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before speaking again. "It’s my comfort food," I continued, my voice quieter this time. "And I hope... it’ll make you feel the same."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBaQewA6SY
The words felt fragile, like they were a bridge I was offering, one that might reach him or might crumble under the weight of everything else. But I couldn’t stop myself from saying them. Maybe the smallest comforts were the ones that mattered most in moments like this.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxduPp3KpFZ
Silence wrapped around us, but it wasn’t the heavy, uncomfortable kind. There was a quiet understanding in the space between us, a kind of peace that had settled, even without words. I didn’t look at him, but I could feel the soft rustling of the chocolate wrapper in his hands, the gentle crinkle that told me he was unwrapping it. It made me smile a little, though I kept my eyes focused on the view ahead.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcglbt4kWYF
The city lights twinkled in the distance, a soft glow against the dark sky, and I found myself taking small, deliberate bites of the ice cream. The sweetness of it grounded me, offering a moment of comfort in a night that had been anything but predictable. It was nice, I thought. Just sitting there. Not forcing anything. Not needing to say anything.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV64I9gLxdW
But I could feel him there, beside me, in that strange, quiet way that made it clear he was thinking—hesitating. I knew that it looked too well. He wanted to speak, but something was holding him back. And then, as if finally mustering the courage to break the silence, he spoke.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0DC4FzOEn
"Do you still like me?”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4oac6NSLh
The question hit me like a cold wave. It wasn’t a harsh question, not at all, but it caught me off guard. I froze, my spoon halfway to my mouth, my heart suddenly in my throat. I wasn’t sure how to answer, or even if there was a simple answer. His voice had been so soft, so vulnerable in the way he asked it, like he was afraid to know the truth, afraid of hearing something he might not be ready for.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v5a7nol01
I didn’t look at him right away, my gaze still fixed on the city below. It was easier to think that way, to gather my thoughts before answering.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWfabBs8Gb
“If I said yes, would you feel the same way?”
ns216.73.216.176da2
