Reaching You, My Reneo

Chapter 5 - Unspoken Moments

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The days after the open-mic night felt surreal to Thora. She found herself replaying every detail, the way Reneo’s eyes had sparkled with pride as she spoke, the thrill of standing on that stage, and the warmth of his hand on her shoulder afterward as he’d praised her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was part of something larger than herself.

A few days later, as she was packing up her things after class, her phone buzzed with a message.

> "Hey, Thora! I’m grabbing coffee at that café we went to the other night. Care to join me? :)"

Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly replied, her fingers almost fumbling over the keyboard.

> "I’d love to. I’ll be there in fifteen."

When she arrived at the café, Reneo was already there, sitting by the window with two cups on the table. He looked up as she approached, flashing her that easy, genuine smile that made her heart feel both lighter and heavier at the same time.

“Thought I’d order for you,” he said, gesturing to the cup in front of her. “Hope I got it right.”

She glanced down, surprised to see her favorite drink waiting for her. “How did you know?” she asked, half-jokingly.

Reneo shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I pay attention.”

They settled into a comfortable rhythm, chatting about their classes, friends, and little frustrations. The conversation felt effortless, as if they’d known each other for years. Thora marveled at how easy it was to be herself around him, to speak freely without the fear of saying something wrong.

“So, tell me more about your stories,” Reneo said, leaning forward, his expression earnest. “I feel like I barely got a glimpse of them the other night.”

A surge of warmth filled Thora. She rarely talked about her writing to anyone—it was something deeply personal, something she kept to herself. But with Reneo, it felt different. She wanted him to know her, to see her.

“Well,” she began, hesitating only slightly. “I’m working on this one story about someone who’s constantly searching for something more, for meaning in places others might overlook. It’s… kind of a metaphor, I guess. I’ve always felt like I see the world differently, and I wanted to capture that in a character.”

Reneo listened intently, his gaze unwavering. “That sounds beautiful,” he said, his voice soft. “I get it. Sometimes, it feels like we’re all just searching for something, even if we’re not sure what it is.”

She looked at him, surprised. His words resonated with her in a way she hadn’t expected, as if he understood her in a way no one else had.

They fell into a thoughtful silence, each lost in their own reflections. Thora felt the familiar urge to turn her feelings into words, to capture this quiet moment somehow. But then she realized—this was it. She didn’t need to transform it into a story, didn’t need to chase the meaning. It was simply there, right in front of her.

They continued talking until the sky outside turned a dusky pink, and the café slowly began to empty. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow that filtered through the window, and for a moment, Thora felt as though they were the only two people in the world.

When they finally stood to leave, Reneo reached for her hand, his touch light but reassuring. “You know, Thora,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone quite like you before.”

Her heart skipped as she looked up at him, the sincerity in his eyes making her feel both vulnerable and exhilarated.

“You make me see things differently,” he continued, his words quiet but heavy with meaning. “You make me feel like there’s more out there… like there’s something worth searching for.”

Thora’s breath caught. She had always dreamed of hearing those words, of being seen in a way that felt real. But now that it was happening, it felt both surreal and terrifying.

Before she could respond, he gently squeezed her hand, as if sensing her hesitation. “You don’t have to say anything,” he said, his tone soft and understanding. “I just… wanted you to know.”

They stood in silence, the words unspoken but lingering between them. Thora felt a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite untangle—hope, excitement, and a tenderness that left her feeling raw and exposed.

When they finally parted, she walked home with her mind reeling, her heart a jumble of feelings she hadn’t dared to dream of. She knew that things were changing, that something had shifted between them. And although she didn’t know what the future held, one thing was certain:

She wasn’t alone on this journey anymore.

((⁠✿⁠ ))