Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 11

Elara blinked against the pale morning light spilling through the curtains, the remnants of last night swirling in her mind like a foggy memory. She rolled over, the sheets twisted around her legs, and caught a glimpse of the alarm clock on the bedside table: 10:03 AM. Groaning softly, she pressed a palm to her forehead, a dull throb pulsing just behind her eyes.

The sound of running water and a muffled voice drifted in from the ensuite bathroom. She squinted toward the door, where Luca was pacing, his tone sharp. Even through the door, she could sense the tension in his voice. It was a stark contrast to the carefree evening they'd shared, a night punctuated with laughter and whispered secrets. But now, the air felt charged with something unspoken.

She pushed herself up, her muscles protesting, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She stood and padded over to the door, curiosity getting the better of her. Leaning against the frame, she caught snippets of Luca's conversation, his words clipped and measured. It sounded serious, maybe even confrontational.

"I don't want to deal with this right now," he said, his voice steady but laced with an edge. "No, I said I'm not interested. Just... stop. We can talk later."

Elara hesitated, torn between stepping in and retreating. The casual intimacy they'd shared just hours before felt like a fragile memory now. She sensed that whatever was happening on the other side of that door was more important to him than the breakfast she had envisioned.

With a sigh, she turned away, the disappointment settling in her stomach alongside the lingering effects of alcohol. She glanced back at the rumpled bed, their shared warmth fading into the background. She could still hear Luca's voice, distant and frustrated, and for a moment, she wondered if he even noticed she was awake.

Luca finally stepped out, towel draped casually around his waist, his hair still damp and tousled. He met her gaze for a moment, but there was an unreadable look in his eyes, a guardedness that felt new.

"Morning," he said, his tone neutral, almost rehearsed.

"Morning," she replied, forcing a smile. "Wanna get breakfast together?"

He shrugged, running a hand through his hair. "Not really in the mood. I have some things to take care of today."

"Oh." Elara's heart sank a little, though she tried to mask it. "I figured we could hang out, you know, after last night."

"Yeah, well..." He glanced away, almost dismissively. "I've got a lot on my plate. Maybe later?"

Elara bit her lip, searching his face for any hint of the warmth they'd shared. "You don't sound like you want to hang out at all. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," he said, a bit too quickly. "Just not today, alright?"

She studied him, the way he leaned against the doorframe with an air of detachment. It felt like a wall had gone up between them, and she couldn't quite figure out why. "Okay," she said slowly, the disappointment pooling in her chest. "If that's how it is..."

"Yeah, I just need some space," he replied, the words not unkind but still distant.

Elara nodded, her heart heavy. "Right. I'll, um, just head back to my room then."

As she made her way back to her own room, the floorboards creaked underfoot, an unwelcome reminder of how fragile the morning felt. She needed coffee. Maybe a cold shower. Anything to shake off the lingering haze of the night and the growing sense that Luca had already put distance between them.

Slipping into her room, she shut the door quietly, the soft click reverberating in the silence. She needed to gather her thoughts, but all she could focus on was the echo of Luca's disinterest.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Elara settled into the warmth of her kitchen, the smell of coffee mingling with the sweet scent of toast. The clatter of dishes and the laughter of her friends filled the air, creating a comforting chaos that felt worlds away from the tension she'd left behind with Luca.

"Pass the jam, will you?" Emmy asked, reaching across the table. Her bright eyes sparkled with mischief, a stark contrast to Elara's swirling thoughts.

"Here you go," Elara replied, forcing a smile as she slid the jar across the table. Kenzie and Tabitha were deep in conversation about a new brunch spot they'd discovered, while Rachel scrolled through her phone, occasionally chipping in with a laugh.

The chatter was a welcome distraction, but every time Elara's gaze flicked to the empty seat beside her, a pang of uncertainty settled in. She wanted to share the highs and lows of last night with Luca, to unpack the confusion and maybe even seek comfort in her friends' advice. But as the laughter grew around her, she hesitated. What would she even say? It felt too complicated, too personal.

"Hey, Elara!" Tabitha's voice cut through her thoughts. "What are your plans for today? Are you doing anything exciting?"

Elara hesitated, glancing down at her half-finished cup of coffee. She had been toying with the idea of hanging out with Charlie. "Um, I'm not sure yet. I was thinking about maybe catching up with Charlie," she said, trying to keep her tone light.

"Charlie? Are you two ok now?" Emmy asked.

"Yeah, yeah, we're good," Elara replied, a faint smile breaking through.

"What about you, Rachel?" Kenzie asked, shifting the focus. "Are you still planning to tackle that sample sale?"

Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! I need to clear my head after this week."

As the conversation shifted away from her, Elara felt a strange mix of relief and lingering unease. It was easier to focus on everyone else's plans, to laugh and joke, even while a small part of her felt like it was being left behind. Would she eventually share what happened with Luca? Or was it better to keep it locked away for now?

As her friends chatted animatedly, Elara took a sip of her coffee, letting the warmth seep into her chest. She wasn't ready to unravel that thread just yet. Today was for fun and laughter, even if a part of her still lingered in the confusion of the morning.

As the lively chatter of her friends faded down the hall, Elara found herself alone in the kitchen, the remnants of breakfast scattered around her. The clink of dishes being stacked and the faint sounds of laughter grew distant, leaving her with only the quiet hum of the refrigerator.

She stared into her cup, the dark liquid swirling like her thoughts, feeling suddenly heavy with solitude. The moments with Luca replayed in her mind, but she pushed them aside, trying to focus on the warmth of the sun streaming through the window instead.

Just then, the door creaked open, and in walked Cyrus. His presence was always a quiet one—enigmatic and almost otherworldly. He glanced at her, his deep-set eyes holding a kind of knowing that Elara found both comforting and unsettling.

They stood in silence, the air thick with unspoken words. Elara couldn't help but notice the contrast between his stillness and the chaotic energy of her friends. A brief wave of sadness washed over her, and she shot him a fleeting look, one that betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft yet steady, breaking the silence.

Elara hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by his genuine concern. She didn't want to unload everything onto him, especially not when the weight felt so confusing. Instead, she gave a slight nod, hoping it would suffice.

Cyrus studied her for a moment longer, and then nodded back, as if accepting her silence. The connection between them was strange—intense yet comfortable, like two solitary stars in a vast night sky.

"Alright," he finally said, his tone gentle, and Elara felt the warmth of his understanding envelop her for just a moment.

With a sigh, she turned to leave. She didn't want to dwell in her thoughts any longer, so she slipped out of the room, hoping that the day ahead would bring a little more clarity—or at least a distraction from the confusion that lingered like the last dregs of her coffee.