Chapter 27: XXVII

Chapter 27: Silence Between Us

The transition from the dreamlike summer vacation back to the bustle of college life was jarring. For weeks, Riley had been surrounded by her friends, enjoying the endless days at the mansion, sharing laughter and memories. But now, back in her tiny dorm room, reality seemed so much louder, so much sharper. And at the center of that reality was Elena.

Riley sighed, slumping into her desk chair. Her phone buzzed on the table, but she didn’t need to look to know who it was. Elena had been texting her nonstop since they got back. Short, simple things like:

“Hey, want to grab coffee?”

“Let’s catch up!”

“You okay? Haven’t heard from you.”

Riley ignored every message, her thumb hovering over the screen before locking the phone again. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how to say it. The kiss they’d shared haunted her—sweet and full of promise, yet terrifying in its implications.

She had wanted it for so long, dreamed of it, and when it finally happened, it felt perfect. But now, in the cold light of day, it felt impossible. What if they ruined everything? What if Elena decided she didn’t really feel that way? What if Riley’s feelings became too much?

No. It was easier this way.

She pulled out her notebook and textbooks, determined to focus on her assignments instead of the ache in her chest. But her mind kept wandering, replaying the way Elena’s lips felt against hers, the way her touch sent electricity through her skin.

Her phone buzzed again.

This time, Riley groaned, snatching it up. She couldn’t ignore it forever.

Elena: “Riley, what’s going on? Did I do something wrong?”

Riley stared at the message, her heart clenching. She hated that Elena thought it was her fault. But what could she say? That she was scared? That she didn’t know how to navigate this new, fragile thing between them?

Instead of replying, Riley shoved the phone under her pillow and grabbed her backpack. She needed to get out of her room.

---

Later that day

Elena was frustrated. No, frustrated wasn’t the right word—she was hurt. Confused. Angry. She couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong.

Things had been so good over the summer. She and Riley had grown closer, sharing quiet moments and stolen glances that felt electric. And then that night—the kiss. It had been perfect, hadn’t it?

But now, Riley was avoiding her. Not just avoiding her—actively ignoring her. It was like Riley had built a wall overnight, shutting Elena out completely.

Elena paced her dorm room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. Maya, sitting cross-legged on Elena’s bed, watched her with a raised eyebrow.

“Okay, you’ve been pacing for, like, ten minutes,” Maya said, tossing a pillow at Elena. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Riley,” Elena said, catching the pillow and hugging it to her chest.

Maya sighed. “What’d she do now?”

“She’s ignoring me,” Elena said, her voice tight. “I don’t know why. Everything was fine, and now she won’t talk to me. She won’t answer my texts or calls. It’s like I don’t exist.”

Maya frowned. “That’s weird. You two were, like, glued to each other during the vacation. Did something happen?”

Elena hesitated, her cheeks flushing. “We… kissed.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “You what?!”

“Shh!” Elena hissed, glancing at the door. “Keep your voice down!”

Maya grinned. “Okay, start talking. What happened? When? How?”

“It was near the end of the trip,” Elena admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed. “We were talking, and… it just happened. It was nice. Really nice. But now—”

“Now she’s freaking out,” Maya finished, nodding knowingly.

Elena looked at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Riley’s always been, like, super intense about her feelings,” Maya said. “She overthinks everything. She probably thinks she ruined your friendship or something stupid like that.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Elena muttered.

“Tell that to Riley,” Maya said, shrugging. “You’re going to have to talk to her, you know.”

Elena sighed. She knew Maya was right. But how could she get Riley to talk when she was doing everything in her power to avoid her?

---

The next day

Riley kept her head down as she walked across campus, her hood pulled up and her earbuds in. She couldn’t risk running into Elena—not yet. She just needed a little more time to figure things out.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

“Riley!”

Riley froze at the sound of Elena’s voice. She turned slowly, her stomach sinking when she saw Elena jogging toward her. There was no escaping now.

“Hey,” Elena said, slightly out of breath. “I’ve been trying to talk to you.”

Riley forced a smile. “Hey, sorry. I’ve been… busy.”

“Busy ignoring me?” Elena said, crossing her arms.

Riley winced. “Elena, I—”

“No,” Elena interrupted. “You don’t get to brush me off like this. Not after everything. I deserve to know what’s going on.”

Riley sighed, looking away. “I’m sorry. I just… I don’t know how to do this.”

“Do what?” Elena asked, her voice softer now.

“This,” Riley said, gesturing between them. “Us. Whatever this is. I don’t want to mess it up, and I feel like I already have.”

Elena stepped closer, her expression gentle. “Riley, you haven’t messed anything up. But shutting me out isn’t the answer. If you’re scared, talk to me. I’m here. I want to figure this out with you.”

Riley looked at her, her heart aching at the sincerity in Elena’s voice. “I don’t know how to do that,” she admitted.

Elena smiled faintly. “We’ll figure it out together.”

For the first time in days, Riley felt a flicker of hope. Maybe things weren’t as impossible as she thought. Maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.

---

Later that night

Riley sat on her bed, staring at her phone. Her conversation with Elena replayed in her mind, and she felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She had promised to try, but she didn’t know where to start.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked her phone and opened her messages.

Riley: “Hey. Thanks for today. I’m sorry for being a jerk. Can we talk more soon?”

She hit send before she could second-guess herself. A few minutes later, her phone buzzed with a reply.

Elena: “Of course. Whenever you’re ready.”

Riley smiled, a small but genuine smile. It wasn’t perfect, and it wouldn’t be easy. But for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was taking a step in the right direction.