“No,” She smiled in a fond way when Renlin had asked if he had to answer that, “I suppose you don’t.” She said playfully as his hands tightening on her hips, though it had shocked her a little, she chose not to comment on it. For she knew what he was saying, or at least trying to say, he wanted her closer, closer than ever and Thalia didn’t know if she could do that, especially when she was so busy trying to run away and hide, and trying not to be found. But, for today, for this dance, she supposed she could give him the closure he needed.
And yet… when he had told her that he enjoyed being out in the open like this, dancing, bodies’ practically pressed against each other if it were not for their clothing and the little space they had left that Renlin was trying to close, and perhaps subconsciously , she was trying to close that gap too, feel him closer, like nights ago. But that would just lead to more trouble. So, she had told him that he thought everything was easy, implying what he should already know, that they were quite complicated and he had retorted, pointing out that getting her to reply to his texted and calls was not easy and Thalia flinched, looking like a deer caught in headlight, before a light blush colored her cheeks. “T-that, well…” She pursued her lips, not knowing what to say. “I never saw your texts or calls.” Bad lie… she knew. Obviously she had not seen texts nor calls when she had blocked him and only until recently, unblocked him.
Thankfully, the conversation had shifted, although into more confusing territory and she had arched her brow, parted her lips and asked him what he meant, knowing what he did not mean. He did not respond, and Thalia wanted to pry, but she knew that would be hypocritical and would mean she would also have to let him into her thoughts, and she wasn’t ready… ready to let anyone into her thoughts, so she let that Convo passed and they stirred into another Convo. He had told her he liked having her around, and she was slightly startled running a hand through her hair, ignoring how her hand got tangled in her curls. She wasn’t ready to admit that she liked having him around too. That she liked how he steadied her when she felt like she was spinning in too many directions at once. That she liked how he looked at her—not with expectation or scrutiny, but with something raw and unspoken, something she couldn’t name. She was better at everything else but this, so again, the conversation shifted per Thalia’s words, asking if he preferred iced or hot coffee. Strange, she knew, but look! In her defense, she did not know what else to say at that moment. Thankfully, he had answered and her lips curled into a small smile. “Me too… I never understood the appeal for iced coffee.” If someone was to offer her an iced coffee, or iced coffee was the only type of coffee around, Thalia would drink it, she wouldn’t mind but she certainly was not fond of it, at least compared to hot coffee. To her, hot coffee made her more relaxed, more connected to her environment, pendant and self. While iced coffee was iced coffee. A way better constipation reliever than hot coffee for her body.Her heart lurched as he grabbed her hand, the sudden urgency in his voice sending a jolt of panic through her . “Renlin—?” she started, but he didn’t wait. He pulled her through the tangle of bodies, the heat of the party fading with every step as they moved deeper into the school. The music dulled to a distant thrum, her breath coming quicker as she struggled to keep up with his long strides.
Something was wrong.
Fear coiled tight in her stomach. He wasn’t saying anything, wasn’t explaining, just moving like they were being chased. Maybe they were.
Her mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. What if someone had seen them? What if—?
No. No, no, no.
Her chest tightened. The thought hit her like a physical blow, and her feet almost stumbled beneath her. What if it was Inessa?
By the time they reached the staircase, the quiet pressing in around them, her pulse was hammering against her ribs. Renlin leaned back against the wall, exhaling like he was trying to pull himself together, but she couldn’t. She wouldn’t until she knew.
She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared at him, wide-eyed. .“Was it—” Her breath caught in her throat before she forced the words out. .“Was it Inessa?”