A TWIST OF FATE

CHAPTER 13 : SIGNS OF INTEREST ?

Each day unfolding like a tightly wound knot, a blend of anxiety and unspoken words. I had been steadfast in my decision to keep my distance from Nex, but that didn't mean it was easy. The more I ignored him, the more I felt the weight of my choice, pressing down on my chest with each passing moment. In class, I would sit with my usual group, laughing and participating in discussions, but whenever Nex entered the room, I felt my heart race. I would steal glances at him, watching the way he interacted with others, his laughter ringing out like music. It was hard to ignore the connection we had shared, and even harder to pretend it didn't hurt.

As I was working on a project in the library, I glanced up to see Nex sitting a few tables away. He was deep in conversation with a friend, but I could see the way his eyes flickered toward me, concern etched into his features. A pang of guilt hit me. I felt like I was pulling away from him, but I didn't know how to bridge that gap without acknowledging the feelings that threatened to spill over."Hey, are you okay?" my friend Sarah asked, noticing my distracted gaze.I sighed, glancing back at Nex. "I don't know. I just feel bad for ignoring him.""Then why are you?" she challenged, her brow furrowing. "You liked him, right?""Yeah, but he has a girlfriend. I can't just act like everything's normal," I replied, my voice tight.Sarah shook her head. "You're only making it harder on yourself. If you care about him, you should talk to him."But I couldn't. I had built this wall around myself, convinced that it was for the best. I watched as Nex leaned in closer to his friend, laughter spilling from his lips. It was both comforting and painful to see him so happy, and I felt a bitter twist in my stomach. ---**Days turned into weeks,** and I noticed subtle changes in Nex's behavior. He would linger near my usual haunts, a look of concern clouding his features whenever he caught sight of me. During group projects, he would often glance my way, as if searching for an invitation to reconnect. But every time our eyes met, I quickly looked away, feeling the familiar rush of guilt wash over me.One afternoon, I was sitting outside with a few classmates when Nex passed by, stopping short as he noticed me. "Hey, Clare!" he called out, his voice bright but tinged with uncertainty.I felt my heart race as I turned to face him. "Hi," I said, forcing a smile."Are you working on the project for Professor Lee's class?" he asked, stepping a little closer. "Yeah, I was just going over some notes," I replied, trying to sound casual.He studied me for a moment, his brow furrowed. "You've been a bit distant lately. Is everything okay?"I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I nodded, forcing my smile wider. "I'm fine. Just busy with school."He looked unconvinced, but before he could say anything else, I turned back to my friends, effectively shutting him out. I could feel his gaze lingering on me as he walked away, and the guilt crept back in, wrapping around my heart like a vice.

The following week-during a study session, I noticed Nex sitting at a nearby table, deep in conversation with another student. I could see the way he smiled, the way his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. It was maddening to watch, and I felt a wave of resentment wash over me—resentment toward him for being so carefree and toward myself for missing him so much."Hey, are you going to join us?" one of my classmates asked, breaking me out of my thoughts."Uh, yeah, sure," I said absentmindedly. But my eyes kept drifting back to Nex. He glanced my way and caught my eye. For a fleeting moment, there was something in his gaze—an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. But I looked away, ashamed to acknowledge the longing that surged within me.The tension between us was palpable, and I could see it in the way he interacted with others. He was still friendly, but there was an undercurrent of concern that hadn't been there before. It felt like he was trying to make sense of my distance, and it pained me to realize just how much he cared.---

As I was leaving the library, I heard familiar footsteps behind me. I turned slightly to see Nex jogging to catch up, his expression a mix of determination and concern.

"Clare!" he called out, breathless. "Can we talk for a second?"I hesitated, my heart racing. "Um, I really need to get going," I replied, my voice tight."Please," he said, urgency creeping into his tone. "It's important."I sighed, feeling the walls I had built around myself start to crack. "Fine," I relented, glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention. "What do you want to talk about?"He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I've noticed you've been avoiding me. I just want to know if I did something wrong."My heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. "No, it's not you," I said quickly, though I could feel the weight of my words. "It's just... complicated.""Complicated how?" he pressed, his eyes searching mine. I could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken words hanging between us like a taut string ready to snap. "I just think it's better if we keep our distance," I said, my voice faltering. "But why?" he asked, frustration seeping into his tone. "I care about you, Clare. It's hard seeing you pull away."His words hit me like a wave, crashing over the defenses I had put up. I wanted to tell him everything—the truth about my feelings, the guilt that kept me from reaching out, the longing that consumed me. But all I could manage was a shaky breath. "I just... I want to do the right thing," I said, my voice trembling. "And right now, that feels like staying away."Nex studied me, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion. "You don't have to protect me from my own feelings. I know this is hard, but we can figure it out together."I looked down, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "I don't want to hurt you, Nex.""But you are," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy cloak. I felt the walls I had built begin to crumble, but fear held me back. I wanted to reach out, to close the distance, but I was terrified of what that would mean."Please, just... think about it," he said, stepping back, the hurt clear in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you."As he turned to leave, I felt a mix of despair and longing wash over me. I had been trying to protect both of us, but in doing so, I was pushing him further away.