Reaching You, My Reneo

Chapter 3 - The First Step

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Thora traced the rim of her glass, feeling a slight tremor in her hands. The courage it had taken to walk up to Reneo had drained her, leaving her feeling like an exposed nerve. But even through the vulnerability, a sense of exhilaration hummed beneath her skin. For once, she hadn’t just watched him from afar; she’d crossed the distance. And, against all odds, he’d seen her. He’d even remembered her spot in class. That small detail was more than she’d dared to hope for.

She looked down at her reflection in her drink, her cheeks still flushed with the remnants of their exchange. Reneo had stepped away, his friend’s laughter ringing out, but he’d promised he’d come back. Thora held on to that promise like an anchor, grounding herself as she stole another glance in his direction.

He was talking animatedly, his hands punctuating his words, and the group around him was drawn in, laughing, eyes bright with interest. Thora couldn't help but smile, watching how he fit so effortlessly into the crowd. She wished she could do the same, wished she had that natural charm that made people gravitate toward him.

The minutes seemed to stretch on, and her initial thrill started to wane, replaced by a familiar doubt. What if he forgot about her? It wasn’t like she was the only girl in the café, and she certainly wasn’t the most memorable. Her gaze drifted to the door, considering the idea of slipping out before her insecurities could ruin her night. But something in her resisted. She had come here with a purpose, and she wasn't going to abandon it so easily.

Thora took a sip of her drink, trying to calm her nerves. In an attempt to distract herself, she turned her attention to the art on the walls. A mix of vibrant colors and abstract shapes filled the space, each painting an expression of something she couldn't quite grasp. It was like a silent reminder that sometimes beauty didn’t need to be understood—it simply needed to be felt.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked up, her heart skipping as Reneo stood before her once again, his eyes warm and curious.

“Hey, thanks for waiting,” he said, sounding genuinely appreciative.

She managed a small smile, hoping her nervousness didn’t show. “Of course.”

He leaned against the edge of the table, crossing his arms casually. “So, Thora, tell me something about yourself. I feel like I’ve seen you around a lot, but we’ve never actually talked.”

The question took her by surprise, and she struggled to come up with an answer that didn’t sound completely ordinary. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then decided to just be honest.

“I… I love stories,” she said, feeling a bit silly as the words came out. “I mean, not just reading them, but creating them, imagining different lives, different worlds.”

His eyebrows raised in interest. “Really? Like writing stories?”

“Sometimes,” she admitted. “Or just coming up with ideas. It’s kind of an escape, I guess.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “I get that. Sometimes we all need a bit of escape.”

Her surprise grew; she hadn’t expected him to understand so easily. Emboldened, she continued. “I like to think of stories as a way to see life through different perspectives. Even if it’s just fiction, it teaches you things.”

Reneo smiled, his eyes holding a newfound respect. “That’s a beautiful way to look at it. You must be a deep thinker.”

She felt her cheeks warm, unaccustomed to being noticed for something she was passionate about. “I… I guess so. I don’t think anyone’s ever called me that before.”

“Well, they should,” he replied, his gaze lingering on her with a sincerity that made her pulse race.

For a brief moment, the crowd and noise faded, leaving only the two of them. It was as though they existed in their own little world, connected by something she couldn’t quite name. Thora felt a surge of courage rise within her, and before she could second-guess herself, she spoke up.

“Would you… would you like to grab a coffee sometime? Just the two of us?” Her voice was barely a whisper, but she forced herself to hold his gaze.

Reneo blinked, clearly caught off guard, but his smile didn’t waver. In fact, it softened, a hint of admiration dancing in his eyes. “I’d like that, Thora. I’d like that a lot.”

Her heart skipped again, a thrill of disbelief and joy bursting inside her. She had taken the first step, dared to make herself seen, and he had met her halfway. The night was far from over, but in that moment, she felt like she had already won.

They exchanged numbers, and as he returned to his friends, he cast her a quick, reassuring glance that felt like a promise. And for the first time, she truly believed that this wasn’t the end—it was only the beginning.

(⁠✿)