Whispers Of the Heart : High School

Chapter 13 : New Year

The morning after the power outage, Selena and Asher woke up to the welcome sight of the restored electricity. A sense of relief swept over them as they realized that the challenges of the previous night were finally behind them. As Selena began to prepare for her plans with Felix, she extended an invitation to Asher, inviting him to join them.

Meeting up with Felix later, however, revealed an unexpected tension. His annoyance was palpable, and it cast a shadow over the interaction. Selena's attempt to bring Asher into the group seemed to have hit a nerve with Felix, and his reaction was hard to ignore.

With Asher standing a few feet away, Felix leaned in to speak privately to Selena. But just as he was about to share something, he caught Asher's gaze fixed on him. A brief pause followed, as Felix's words seemed to falter under Asher's attentive stare.

"Hmm, I think I'll just tell you later," Felix eventually stated, his words tinged with uncertainty. As the trio began walking together, the moment seemed to pass, leaving a sense of intrigue lingering in the air.

As they walked, fate intervened and brought Leon and Mira into their path. Selena's excitement was palpable as she noticed Leon and Mira holding hands, and she couldn't help but express her joy. Mira confirmed Selena's suspicion, explaining that she and Leon were now a couple.

With the day progressing, Selena and Asher eventually headed back home. However, their arrival was met with an unexpected presence—Sophia was standing outside their building. The situation took an awkward turn as the three of them entered the building together.

Inside, Selena couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she retreated to her room, although curiosity got the better of her, leading her to eavesdrop on the conversation unfolding between Asher and Sophia.

"I thought you were spending New Year's with us," Sophia began, her tone carrying a hint of disappointment. "You decided that yourself."

Selena strained to listen, hearing the exchange between Sophia and Asher. Sophia's words revealed her feelings for Asher and her desire for him to accept her father's offer for a new place. Asher's response, however, took her by surprise and made her smile. He expressed his intention to stay where he was, explaining that he liked living there despite the challenges.

The tension between Asher and Sophia seemed to escalate, and when Sophia finally left, Selena emerged from her room with a newfound sense of lightness. She began to prepare dinner, the act serving as a way to ease the lingering tension and bring a sense of normalcy to their day.

As Selena busied herself in the kitchen, Asher approached her, a sense of determination evident in his demeanor. 

"Hey, I have to tell you something..." Asher began, his voice a mix of uncertainty and sincerity. Selena's eyes met his, and for a fleeting moment, she held onto the possibility that he might finally reveal his feelings.

"...I don't know if you haven't realized this...But I've been driven crazy from your antics," he concluded, his words taking an unexpected turn. Selena's hopeful anticipation turned to confusion as she processed his statement. It was not the confession she had been hoping for, and the disappointment was evident in her eyes.

Asher's tone shifted as he continued speaking, revealing a sentiment that was both honest and surprising. "But until you move into dorms, I don't mind you living here."

The evening continued its steady march, gradually transitioning into a new day. Selena's suggestion to Asher about having lunch together at school had taken root, and they both agreed to the plan. With a sense of anticipation, Selena took it upon herself to prepare enough food for both of them.

The following day, Selena was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had put effort into preparing the dishes, and as she waited in the lunchroom, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. The buzz of conversation and laughter surrounded her, creating an atmosphere of bustling activity.

As lunchtime arrived, Selena and Asher found themselves sitting down to enjoy the meal Selena had prepared. The lunchroom buzzed with activity, but their focus was on each other as they shared the food. Selena couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness, fueled by the recent comments she had overheard.

With a hint of playfulness, Selena attempted to inject a touch of affection into their interaction, hoping to create a warm and lovey-dovey atmosphere. However, Asher's response seemed distant and uninterested, casting a shadow over her efforts. She couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, as if the connection she had envisioned was slipping through her fingers.

Later that day, Selena and Asher walked home together, their footsteps echoing in the quiet streets. However, their journey took an unexpected turn as they encountered Melody along the way. Selena noticed Asher's demeanor shift, his distance palpable as he chose to walk away, leaving her and Melody to catch up on their own.

Selena and Melody retreated to Melody's place, where they could engage in a heart-to-heart conversation. As they caught up, their voices filled the room with warmth and familiarity.

The following day, as Selena, Mira, and Leon engaged in conversation, Felix made his appearance, stepping into their classroom. Sensing a private conversation was in order, Selena excused herself and joined Felix in the hallway. Much to her surprise, he presented her with tickets to the aquarium, a gesture that caught her off guard. She agreed to accompany him, the unexpected invitation adding a touch of excitement to her day.

However, their moment was interrupted when Asher's voice broke through the air, calling Selena's name. He indicated that it was time for lunch, and Selena turned to join him. Yet before they could continue, Felix intervened, stopping Asher in his tracks. A tension hung in the air as Felix confronted Asher, questioning his actions in light of Selena's gesture.

"Is that all you can do after she made that effort for you?" Felix challenged, his words laced with an underlying frustration. Asher's retort was swift, his tone defensive. "What does it have to do with you?" he shot back.

As the tension between Felix and Asher escalated, Selena's worry deepened. She felt caught between the two, torn by their conflicting emotions. In an attempt to diffuse the situation, she offered a sincere apology to Felix, her concern evident in her eyes. She also stepped in to defend Asher, attempting to rationalize his behavior.

With a mixture of emotions lingering in the air, Selena and Asher walked away, leaving Felix behind. However, Leon couldn't help but notice the tension, and he approached Felix. A conversation ensued, as Leon questioned Felix's perspective on the situation.

"Felix, she sure seems happy even though they're faking it. Are you sure you're okay with the way things are?" Leon inquired, his words carrying a note of concern. Felix's response was clear, revealing his inner turmoil. "Of course not," he admitted, his tone reflecting the complexity of his emotions.

Sitting on the rooftop, Selena and Asher shared a quiet lunch together. The rooftop offered a sense of solitude amidst the bustling world below, a place where they could momentarily escape the complexities of their lives. As they ate, Selena's thoughts turned to her upcoming plans with Felix.

"So, Selena, are you two dating?" Asher's question caught her off guard, and she stifled a surprised chuckle. "Me and Felix? Of course not," she replied, her words laced with a hint of amusement. She clarified their relationship dynamics, highlighting the platonic nature of her connection with Felix.

The conversation seemed to taper off, leaving a comfortable yet somewhat uneasy silence between them. They continued eating, the subtle tension palpable beneath the surface. Once Asher had finished his meal, he stood up and without much ceremony, left the rooftop.

As the day progressed, Selena returned home, her footsteps echoing through the empty apartment. The solitude seemed to amplify the lingering complexities of the day. She was greeted by a quiet space, a stark reminder of the unspoken feelings and the distance that sometimes crept between her and Asher.

Eventually, Asher returned from work, and the apartment was shared by its two occupants once again. However, the distance between them persisted. Selena remained in her room, engaged in her own thoughts, while Asher moved about, perhaps engrossed in his own concerns.