Emerson's POV
SUNDAY MORNING
I stretched and rolled over, glancing at my phone.
No new messages from Dakota.
I got up and headed to the kitchen, where Dakota was already making coffee.
He was dressed casually, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Morning," I said, trying to keep my tone light.
"Morning," he replied, pouring two mugs. "How did you sleep?"
"Pretty well, actually. You?"
"Same." He handed me a cup, and our fingers brushed, sending a quick jolt through me. I tried to ignore it.
As we sipped our coffee, the silence felt different today—heavier. I could feel the weight of unspoken words hanging between us.
"So, what's on your agenda today?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation to something light.
"Not much. Just the usual. I might hit the gym later," he replied, avoiding my gaze.
"Right." I nodded, a hint of disappointment creeping in.
We spent the morning doing our own things—Dakota scrolling through his phone, and me lost in a book. The casual comfort of our shared space began to feel strained.
When he finally announced he was heading out for a run, I felt a wave of mixed emotions. "Have a good workout," I said, trying to sound encouraging.
"Thanks. I'll see you later," he replied, grabbing his keys and heading out.
I watched him leave, a swirl of thoughts racing through my mind.
Why was he acting like nothing had happened? I shook my head, trying to clear it, but the questions lingered.
-------
Days passed, each feeling like a repeat of the last. Dakota kept things surface-level, and I tried to respect that, but I felt myself growing increasingly restless.
We had shared moments that felt significant, yet now he seemed to be acting like nothing had happened at all.
Each time I saw him, it was like a wall had gone back up.
He greeted me with his usual half-smile, but the warmth from that night was absent.
It was frustrating. I had opened up to him, and I wanted to believe he felt the same way.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
"Hey, Dakota," I said as I found him in the kitchen, scrolling through his phone. "How's it going?"
"Fine," he replied, not looking up. The casualness in his tone stung more than I expected.
"Did you... want to talk about the other night?" I ventured, trying to gauge his mood.
He glanced at me briefly before turning back to his phone. "Not really. Just trying to keep things normal."
Normal.
The word hung between us like a void.
It was clear he was avoiding any deeper conversation, and it made my heart sink.
"Okay," I said, forcing a smile despite the disappointment. "Just wanted to check in."
As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel the weight of unspoken words.
YOU ARE READING
The Rude Awakening of Love
RomanceEmerson and Dakota were randomly assigned to live together in a small college apartment. From the moment they met, there was an instant clash of personalities. Emerson was organized and meticulous, while Dakota was care free and laid back. Their dif...
