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y/n turned toward the house, taking a hesitant step forward but before she could move another inch, she paused abruptly and glanced back at the other wybie, needing to reassure herself that he was following. he was, though at a much slower pace, almost as if he were dragging his feet. his shoulders slumped slightly, and his movements lacked the eagerness he'd shown just moments earlier. y/n noticed how the garden around them seemed to react to their departure. the flowers, which had been so vibrant and alive, now closed up, their colors dimming as if the life had been drained out of them.
the air grew heavier, and the once magical atmosphere dissipated into a mere memory. whatever connection they'd shared during their dance seemed to fade along with the garden's light, as if the world around them was signaling that their brief moment of intimacy had come to an end.
eventually, the other wybie caught up to her, and they walked side by side, the silence between them growing with each step. y/n was at a loss for words, unsure of how to continue the conversation—or even if she should. the weight of what had just happened hung in the air, thick with unspoken thoughts and feelings.
she knew that the boy beside her couldn't talk, and that made her responsible for breaking the silence, for finding the right words to say. but the truth was, she didn't know what to say. so, y/n found herself sneaking glances at the other wybie, trying to read his expression, trying to understand what he might be feeling. was he as confused as she was? did he even feel anything at all? the thought crossed her mind that he was just a creation, a mimicry of the real wybie, but that didn't make the emotions she felt any less real. there was something undeniably endearing about him—his awkwardness, his silent understanding, even the way he moved with a shy sort of grace. she found herself wondering if it was okay to think of him as cute, to acknowledge the strange, gentle affection she felt toward him.
but she barely knew him, if knowing him was even possible. and the last thing y/n wanted was to make things weird between them, especially since they'd only just met. she struggled to push these thoughts aside, but they lingered, filling the quiet space between them as they walked.
eventually, they arrived at the back door of the pink palace. the sound of the other mother bustling about in the kitchen reached y/n's ears and was enough for her to snap her out of her introspective haze. the clattering of pots and the faint smell of food being prepared grounded her, reminding her of where she was and what was expected of her. she blinked, clearing her mind, only to find the other wybie standing beside her, his gaze fixed on her with a look of quiet concern.
his button eyes, though expressionless, seemed to reflect a deep curiosity, as if he was silently asking what was on her mind. y/n's heart skipped a beat at his stare, and she couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious under his watchful gaze. she let out an awkward laugh, trying to dispel the tension she felt building inside her. "sorry..." she mumbled under her breath, not entirely sure what she was apologizing for. for the silence? for the awkwardness? for the emotions she couldn't quite name?
