The following days felt strangely quiet for Kiomie. After her conversation with Theo, they decided to take some space from each other, giving her time to reflect on everything. It was a mutual decision, one that neither of them took lightly, but Kiomie knew it was necessary.
She spent more time by herself than usual, walking around the city, reading books she had abandoned months ago, and taking up journaling as a way to process her emotions. For the first time in a while, she wasn’t consumed by her relationship with Theo or the pressures of fitting into a picture-perfect romance. Instead, she was learning how to be alone—and surprisingly, she found comfort in that.
On a sunny afternoon, Kiomie met up with Nora for coffee. She hadn’t told Nora about the break with Theo yet, partly because she wasn’t ready to answer all the questions that might follow. But seeing her best friend in her glowing happiness, Kiomie decided it was time to be open.
“How’s everything with Jake?” Kiomie asked, sipping her latte, trying to ease into the conversation.
Nora’s face lit up with a soft smile. “Things are great. We’re taking it slow, but I think we’re both in a really good place. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.”
Kiomie smiled genuinely, happy for her friend. “That’s amazing, Nora. I’m really glad you found someone who treats you well.”
“Thanks,” Nora said, then paused, looking at Kiomie closely. “What about you and Theo? You’ve been kinda quiet about him lately.”
Kiomie hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. “We’re… taking a break,” she finally said, her voice steady but quiet.
Nora’s eyes widened in surprise. “A break? What happened?”
“I don’t know, Nora,” Kiomie confessed, running a hand through her hair. “I just started feeling like something was off. Theo’s great, but I’m not sure if he’s the one for me. It’s not his fault—it’s just, I think I need to figure out who I am before I can really be with someone.”
Nora leaned back in her chair, studying her best friend. “I didn’t realize you were feeling like that. But honestly, I get it. Sometimes, we need to take a step back to understand what we really want.”
Kiomie nodded, grateful for Nora’s understanding. “Exactly. I don’t want to hurt him, but I also don’t want to stay in something I’m not 100% sure about. I’ve been so focused on being in a relationship that I think I lost sight of myself.”
Nora reached across the table and squeezed Kiomie’s hand. “You’re doing the right thing, Kio. It’s better to figure this out now than to keep going and end up resenting him. Plus, you deserve to know what you really want.”
Kiomie smiled softly. “Thanks, Nora. I needed to hear that.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about life, love, and the unpredictable nature of relationships. Nora shared more about her blossoming romance with Jake, while Kiomie opened up about her fears of not knowing what the future held. It was a conversation that left Kiomie feeling lighter, as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Later that evening, as Kiomie walked home, she thought about everything that had happened over the past few weeks. It had been a whirlwind of emotions—falling for Theo, questioning their relationship, and now finding herself on a new path of self-discovery. It wasn’t easy, but she felt like she was finally heading in the right direction.
When she got home, Kiomie pulled out her journal and began writing. She reflected on her journey so far, realizing that love wasn’t just about finding the right person—it was about knowing who you were and what you needed before letting someone else into your life. And maybe, just maybe, she hadn’t been ready for that yet.
As she closed her journal, Kiomie felt a sense of calm wash over her. She didn’t have all the answers yet, but she was okay with that. For now, she was focused on herself—on growing, learning, and discovering what truly made her happy.
And in the quiet of her room, with only the soft hum of the city outside, Kiomie made a promise to herself: she would take her time, embrace the journey, and trust that when the time was right, love—real, lasting love—would find its way to her again.
YOU ARE READING
Silent Affection
Romancehigh school students Kiomie Hart and Theo Sebastian Adler are paired for a project by their teacher, during their work there where unspoken emotions reveal deeper struggles beneath their quiet exteriors. As they navigate the complexities of their gr...
