Scavenger Hunt

The Fracture

The café buzzed with laughter and conversation, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in Dream’s heart. After finishing their meal, he leaned back in his chair, contemplating his next words carefully. He knew he had to say something to bridge the growing gap between them, but the pressure of the moment felt almost unbearable.

“George,” Dream began, his voice steady but quiet. “I really think we need to talk about this. About us.”

George’s expression tightened, a flicker of unease flashing across his face. “Can’t we just enjoy the day? The scavenger hunt? I don’t want to ruin everything with a heavy conversation.”

“It feels like we’re avoiding it,” Dream replied, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. “Every time we get close to talking about what’s really going on, you pull away.”

“I’m not trying to avoid it!” George said, his voice rising slightly. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting away as if searching for an escape. “It’s just… I don’t want to ruin what we have. This is complicated enough without complicating it further.”

“But pretending it’s not there isn’t going to make it go away,” Dream pressed, his heart racing as he sensed the tension thickening around them. “I care about you, George. I don’t want to hide anymore.”

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Dream’s heart sank as he watched George struggle to meet his gaze, the conflict written all over his face.

“Maybe we should just drop it for now,” George finally said, his voice low. “I don’t want to have this conversation right now.”

Dream felt a wave of disappointment wash over him, followed by anger and confusion. “So we just pretend everything is fine? What kind of solution is that?”

“I didn’t say everything was fine,” George shot back, his voice sharp. “I just think we need to give it time. It’s not something we can figure out in one day.”

“Then how long are we going to drag this out?” Dream retorted, frustration bubbling over. “I don’t want to spend my life waiting for you to be ready. I need to know where we stand.”

George’s face hardened, and Dream felt the distance between them stretch further. “You make it sound like I’m the one holding us back. I’m not the only one with feelings, Dream. You’re pushing me, and I don’t know if I can handle it.”

The words hit Dream like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, he was at a loss for what to say. “I’m not trying to push you away. I just—”

“Maybe you should just let me breathe!” George interrupted, standing up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “I feel like I can’t catch a break here!”

Dream watched, stunned, as George turned and walked away from the table, leaving him sitting there alone, the weight of their unresolved feelings hanging heavily in the air. The lively sounds of the café faded into a dull roar, and Dream felt like he was drowning in a sea of confusion and regret.

“George!” Dream called out, desperation creeping into his voice. “Wait!”

But George didn’t turn back. He pushed through the café door, the sound of it slamming shut echoing in Dream’s ears like a final farewell.

Dream sat there, heart racing, and his mind spiraled with thoughts. Had he gone too far? Had he misread everything? He could still feel the intensity of their conversation, the way George’s eyes had darkened with frustration and hurt. They had been teetering on the edge of something profound, and now it felt like they had just toppled over the cliff.