Reaching You, My Reneo

Chapter 6 - Fractured Hopes

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The following week, Thora felt like she was floating. Her moments with Reneo played on a loop in her mind, a warmth that carried her through her days. Every glance, every smile, every touch—they were etched into her memory, her own secret to hold on to.

So when Reneo invited her to a small party his friends were throwing, she didn’t hesitate. The idea of seeing him again, of being part of his world, thrilled her. She spent extra time getting ready, choosing an outfit that felt like her but with a touch more confidence.

When she arrived, the apartment was already buzzing with music and laughter. Reneo was waiting for her at the door, his face lighting up as he saw her. “Thora!” He greeted her with a quick hug, the familiar warmth of his embrace sending her heart racing. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Me too,” she replied, trying to keep her excitement in check.

They weaved through the crowd together, Reneo introducing her to his friends. She tried to remember all their names, but the noise and excitement made it difficult to focus. Still, she enjoyed every moment, relishing the fact that Reneo was by her side, that she was a part of his world for the night.

As the evening wore on, she noticed how at ease he was, his laughter echoing above the music. People flocked to him, drawn to his charm and warmth, and she felt a pang of envy mixed with admiration. This was Reneo in his element, and she was lucky to witness it.

Eventually, he excused himself to grab them drinks. She watched him disappear into the kitchen, her heart fluttering with the hope that tonight would bring them even closer.

But as she waited, her gaze drifted across the room to a group of people clustered in the corner. She recognized one of Reneo’s friends, a tall girl with striking features who had been laughing with him earlier. Thora couldn’t help but notice how close the girl was standing to him, her hand resting casually on his arm as she leaned in to whisper something.

For a moment, Thora brushed it off. They were just friends—Reneo had introduced her as one of his oldest classmates. But then the girl laughed, a soft, intimate sound, and Reneo laughed with her, his eyes crinkling in that way that Thora had thought was reserved just for her. The two of them were in their own world, oblivious to everyone else.

Thora felt her chest tighten, a dull ache forming. She watched as the girl moved even closer, her fingers brushing against Reneo’s hand, lingering just a little too long. And the way he responded, leaning in slightly, a small smile playing on his lips—it felt like a punch to Thora’s gut.

He returned to her a few minutes later, carrying two drinks, his usual smile in place. “Sorry, took longer than I thought,” he said, handing her a cup.

Thora forced a smile, her fingers wrapping around the cold glass. “No problem.”

But her heart was pounding, her mind racing with the image she had just seen. She tried to shake it off, telling herself it was nothing, that she was overreacting. But the doubt lingered, a bitter taste in her mouth.

Reneo seemed oblivious, laughing and joking with his friends, occasionally glancing over at her. But each time their eyes met, she couldn’t stop herself from remembering the way he had looked at that girl, the way he had leaned in, his smile softer, more intimate.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. She excused herself, mumbling something about needing fresh air, and slipped outside. The cool night air stung her skin, but it did little to calm the storm brewing within her.

Her thoughts spiraled as she replayed the scene, wondering if she had imagined it, if she was reading too much into things. But no matter how she tried to rationalize it, the hurt wouldn’t go away.

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps behind her, and Reneo appeared, his brows knit with concern. “Thora? Are you okay?”

She forced a smile, her heart aching at the sight of him. “I’m fine. Just needed a break from the noise.”

He nodded, stepping closer, his hand reaching for hers. But this time, the gesture didn’t fill her with warmth. It felt hollow, like a distant echo of the connection they had shared before.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice soft. “You seem… different.”

She hesitated, debating whether to tell him what she had seen. But the words caught in her throat, too raw and vulnerable to voice. Instead, she looked away, her gaze fixed on the ground. “It’s nothing, really.”

He paused, sensing the distance between them but not understanding why. “Alright,” he said, his tone hesitant. “But if there’s something on your mind, you can tell me.”

She wanted to, desperately. But the fear of being brushed aside, of hearing him explain it away, stopped her. She couldn’t bear the thought of being dismissed, of her feelings being treated as insignificant.

So she just nodded, giving him a faint smile. “Thanks, Reneo. I appreciate it.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the gap between them growing with each passing second. He glanced back toward the party, a flicker of indecision in his eyes. “I should probably get back inside… they’re probably wondering where I went.”

The words stung more than she had expected. He was right—this wasn’t her world. He had a life, a circle of friends that didn’t include her, not really. And she was just… someone who had wandered into his orbit for a moment.

“Of course,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “Don’t let me keep you.”

He hesitated, his eyes searching her face as if sensing something was wrong, but he didn’t press. “Alright. I’ll see you inside?”

She nodded, watching as he walked back into the party, leaving her alone in the cold.

Once he was gone, the facade she had been holding up crumbled, and she felt the weight of her own feelings crash down on her. She had let herself believe, had dared to hope for something real, something lasting. But now, she wasn’t so sure.

As the music drifted through the open door, she felt a hollow ache settle in her chest. Maybe she had been fooling herself, thinking that she could fit into his world, that he might feel the same way she did. Maybe, to him, she was just another passing moment.

Thora wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the hurt sink deeper, a reminder of the distance between them. And as the night wore on, she realized that sometimes, hope could be the sharpest form of pain.

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