The quite girl

03.annoyed

One afternoon, she approached him. "What are you drawing?" she asked, hopeful.

Levi glared at her. "It's none of your business."

Naila frowned but didn't back down. "I just want to understand. Drawing can be really personal."

"Yeah, well, I'm not sharing," he snapped, turning his back. He didn't want her to see his vulnerability.

She sighed, frustrated but still determined. "You don't have to. But it seems like it means something to you."

Levi clenched his jaw, feeling exposed. How did she know? "It doesn't matter. Just drop it."

But Naila didn't give up. She kept asking questions and sharing her thoughts about art. Slowly, he noticed she was genuinely trying to connect, even if he pushed her away.

One day, after he finished a drawing, Naila said, "That one looks powerful. I can see the emotions in it."

Levi felt annoyed. "What do you know about emotions?" he replied sharply, but her words lingered in his mind.

"More than you think," she said quietly, her eyes deep with understanding.

He turned to look at her, considering letting her in. But he quickly shut it down. No, he didn't need anyone to understand. He could handle it alone.

As days passed, Naila's presence became harder to ignore. She seemed to see through his tough exterior, which scared him. Whenever he caught her looking at him, he felt exposed, like she could see his cracks. So, he kept pushing her away, even as part of him wondered what it would be like to let someone in.

Then, one afternoon, Naila surprised him by sitting down across from him, her expression serious. "Levi, I know you're going through something. You don't have to go through it alone."

He felt anger rush in. "You don't know anything about me!" he shot back, but her calmness only frustrated him more.

"Maybe not," she replied softly, "but I know what it's like to feel lost. Art helps me, and I thought it might help you too."

"Art is just a distraction," he said, but her words strucks in his head.

"Maybe, but it can also be a way to face what's hurting you," Naila said, her voice steady. "I'm here if you want to talk."

Levi's heart raced. He wanted to reject her offer, to shut her out completely, but something in her eyes made him hesitate. For the first time, he thought maybe sharing his burdens wouldn't be so terrible.

But just as quickly, he pushed the thought away. "I don't need anyone," he said, his voice low and defiant.

Naila studied him for a moment, then nodded, her expression softening. "I get it. But just know I'm here if you change your mind."

As she walked away, Levi felt a strange mix of anger and something else—something he couldn't identify. Was it hope? He didn't want to feel that way. He wanted to keep his walls up and face his struggles alone. But with Naila's presence, he wondered how long he could maintain that isolation.

Days continued to pass, and though he tried to ignore her, Naila's determination began to chip away at his defenses. In moments of silence, he thought about her words. Maybe there was truth in what she said. Maybe art could be more than just an escape.

One day, he caught her sketching in the library. Her focused expression and the way she lost herself in her art made him feel something unexpected—a twinge of admiration. He hesitated but finally approached her.

"Can I see what you're working on?" he asked, surprising himself.

Naila looked up, her eyes lighting up. "Really? Of course!"

As she showed him her sketches, Levi felt a shift inside, but he quickly pushed it down. Part of him was intrigued, but another part resisted. Sharing his art felt too personal, too risky.

"Your style is nice," he said, trying to sound casual. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he was letting her in a little too much.

"Thanks! I'd love to see more of your work," she replied, her enthusiasm clear.

Levi shrugged. "Maybe," he said, keeping his tone nonchalant. He didn't want to promise anything he wasn't ready for.

As Naila continued talking about her art, he felt a mix of annoyance and curiosity. Part of him appreciated her passion, but another part wanted to shut her out. He didn't want to get involved, didn't want to expose himself.

"Art is just a way to escape," he said, trying to dismiss the deeper connection she was suggesting.

"Maybe, but it can also help you face what you're feeling," she countered, her voice steady.

Levi clenched his jaw, feeling that familiar urge to retreat. "I guess," he replied, not fully convinced.

Naila watched him closely, and for a moment, he felt vulnerable under her gaze. "I'm here if you ever want to talk," she said softly.

"Yeah, I know," he mumbled, his heart racing. He appreciated her offer but wasn't ready to take that step. He preferred to keep things at a

He wasn't ready to let anyone in, not yet. Maybe one day, but for now, he wanted to keep his walls up and face his struggles alone