The Secrets We Don't Say

“Do you ever get tired of me just… talking?” Ava asked, half-joking, but with a hint of real curiosity.

Sam leaned back on the couch, giving her a look. “Honestly? Sometimes I wonder if you’ve got a built-in narrator mode that you can’t turn off.”

Ava laughed, giving him a playful shove. “See, this is what I mean. You never tell me what you’re thinking unless I pry it out of you.”

“Maybe I just like listening,” he replied with a shrug, that familiar smirk tugging at his mouth. “I don’t have to give you a play-by-play of my thoughts, you know.”

“Oh, but you do. Because I’m an amazing listener,” she shot back, leaning in like she was daring him.

Sam raised his eyebrows. “Really? Let’s test that. Do you remember what I said about work yesterday?”

Ava squinted, clearly trying to recall. “Something about… spreadsheets?”

“Spreadsheets?” Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “See? That’s why I keep quiet. You’re too busy narrating your life to notice the minor details of mine.”

“Oh, please. You love my minor details. Besides, I swear you’d tell me if something big happened, right?” She looked at him with her usual spark, but he saw a hint of worry hiding underneath it.

He held her gaze for a moment, his expression softening. “Ava… if there’s anything important, you’ll be the first to know.”

She let out a small breath, seeming reassured. “Okay, good. Because sometimes, it’s like talking to a wall with you, and I have no idea what’s going on in there.” She pointed at his forehead, as if it held the secrets to the universe.

Sam grinned, crossing his arms. “Ava, if I opened up as much as you did, we’d be here until sunrise. Besides, mystery is part of my charm.”

“Oh, yeah. So charming,” she teased. But then she added, with a quieter tone, “You know, it’s just that… I tell you everything. And sometimes it feels like I’m out here, dangling, and you’re just… safe and comfortable in your little castle of secrets.”

Sam looked at her thoughtfully. “Alright, fair. Let me think… ah, here’s something I bet you didn’t know: I once got detention for sneaking out after hours in high school.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “You? Mr. Rule Follower? I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it. There may have been a dare involved… and let’s just say I’m not good at losing,” he said, looking both amused and a bit embarrassed.

Ava burst into laughter. “I knew it! There’s a rebel in there after all. See, that’s what I mean—these are the details I want to know.”

Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, alright. Maybe I’ll let a few more secrets slip every now and then. But you have to admit, you’re very good at keeping a conversation going without my help.”

“Oh, I know I am.” She leaned back, grinning triumphantly. “But thanks for actually participating tonight, Mr. Mysterious. You’re not such a bad storyteller yourself.”

Sam just looked at her, his expression softening again. “You know, I don’t say it often, but I actually like listening to you ramble about life.”

She smiled, a bit surprised by his honesty. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.” He shrugged. “It’s… nice to hear what you think about everything, even if I don’t always get it. Makes me feel like I’m part of your world.”

Ava felt herself blushing a little, feeling a sudden warmth between them. “Well,” she said softly, “as long as you’re listening, I’ll keep talking.”

And for once, in the comfortable silence that followed, they both felt perfectly understood.