Silent : Unveiling the Turmoil of a Teenage Heart

CHAPTER 30

LILY

After a long day of school, I had a nice, homemade dinner, all made by Nonna. She spent hours in the kitchen, making her well known gnocchi chicken skillet. I started liking it again. Nonna and I had a great time at dinner, spending time together and talking about how our day was. I felt so much more bright and happy now that I started recovering from my eating problem. My insecurities were there, but at least I ate again.

For those insecurities, I had friends. And each one helped differently. Sam still came by a lot, and we were both agreeing on taking our 'relationship' slow. It was nothing official yet, and we hadn't kissed since the day we confessed.

Noah texts me each day, checking up on me. Sometimes, random delivery people arrive at my door with food, and I know exactly who sent it. Noah Haven.

Soori helps me find healthy ways to lose weight. We are going to the gym together today. I hated the process of going to the gym, I think it takes so long to lose weight that way. But, I could at least get some exercise in there, which I don't really have. I don't sport, I don't take walks. The only exercise I have is the bicycle rides to school.

I had changed into gym-wear, blue gym leggings and a big, white T-Shirt. I had my soft, pink hair in a ponytail, my bangs covering my forehead. I was chilling on the couch (for the last time ever, since I'll probably die from how much exercise Soori will give me). I was already exhausted by the thought of working out. But, it'd be a way better way of losing weight than just not eating.

I got a text from Soori. 'I'm right outside.'

I got up, said bye to Nonna, got my bag and went to my front door.  When I opened it, I saw Soori. How come she always looked so gorgeous?

She wore her long, dark hair up in a ponytail, barely any makeup on, an oversized black T-shirt and pastel purple joggers. She wore white sneakers, which were nice to work out in. She also had a black tote bag over her shoulder, probably filled with a water bottle and a change of clothes.

"Ready?" She asked. "Yeah, let's go." I stepped out of my house, closing the door behind me and dropping my keys in my own tote bag.

We walked side by side, heading to the gym. The silence was comfortable, an occasional sound of birds chirping and rustling of leaves. After a moment, Soori broke the silence.

"So...You and Sam, huh? Anything new?" She asked, that annoying smirk plastered on her face. "No, Soo, nothing new.." I answered, slightly shaking my head.

"Come on, nothing? I really don't believe that." She chuckled. "No, no, I mean it. Really nothing." I looking at the floor as I walked.

"Whatever.." Soori kept that smile on her face, looking up at the sky, as if she thought of something.

"How about you and Elijah?" I asked, breaking our short moment of silence.

Soori's head dropped a bit, now looking at the street ahead of her. Her smile dropped too, her face filled with a look of doubt, but also annoyance.

"I don't know." She said.

Wait, what? Where's the Soori who sat on a pink cloud, head over heels for the one and only Elijah Whitlock?

"What do you mean, 'you don't know'?" I asked, turning to her. "I just don't know. I do really like him, but he gets upset so easily, and he's pretty...bossy." She explained.

"Bossy?" I repeated.

"Bossy."

"I thought you liked jealous boys." I said, only half-joking.

"I guess I don't then. It's too much." She confessed. Oh. She was actually serious. She was actually doubting Elijah. I always had my doubts about Elijah, but I didn't expect my doubts to become reality.

"But I also don't really confess what I feel towards him, because I'm afraid he'll take it wrong." She said, her tone somewhat worried. "Okay, so that's already a red flag. You shouldn't be afraid to talk to him, he's your boyfriend." I chimed in.

"I know. I do say things, but..he just..assumes things too fast." She said, taking small pauses to think. I could sense she didn't know what to name it, that she didn't know how to explain.

"I get it." I said, not wanting to make this harder for her. I shouldn't assume the worst though. Some guys are just a little insecure, I guess. And I'm not going to give Soori a lecture about dropping him without even knowing the whole situation.

So I dropped the topic, switching to a different one as we continued walking to the gym.

When we finally arrived, Soori and I headed inside, putting our bags in a locker and getting to the real deal.

Working out.

I felt a little uncertain, but I was ready. Soori and I did certain exercises. Jumping rope, cycling, stair master, etcetera. Now, we were at the treadmill.

"Jeez, I'm hot.." Soori panted. She reached for the hem of her joggers, pulling them down and leaving her in a pair of biker shorts. Smart.

"I didn't even think of that." I panted as well.

Soori tossed her joggers aside, and we got on the treadmill. We put it at 4mph to start with. Then we'd level up to higher speeds every few minutes.

As we started running, I started to get a way with it, figuring out how to keep my breath up and what to focus on.

I often took an automatic glance at Soori, who was taking deep breaths as she jogged on the treadmill.

But on one of my glances, when I looked down, I saw something..concerning.

A red, horizontal wound peaked out from under Soori's biker short.

I tried to gaslight myself that had came there on accident. But it didn't look like something accidental. It was perfectly straight. A certain place on her legs, where no clothes would ever reveal. At least, not the clothes Soori wore. She clearly didn't think through that running would make her shorts creep up.

But my dear Soori. I clearly wasn't the only one with issues.
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flopping so hard rn 🥲