Invincible

Quiet Desperation

Chapter 11

The days after their encounter at the party felt endless for Tori, each one amplifying the ache she felt in Meur's absence. She replayed their conversation over and over, searching for signs, questioning if she'd misread everything between them. She felt raw, as though the vulnerability she'd shown him was now a wound left unhealed.

Every glance at her phone—at her unanswered message—deepened her loneliness. In her heart, she knew she couldn't replace Meur. Elijah had shown her kindness, a light she hadn't felt in ages, but it wasn't what she wanted. She didn't want easy. She wanted him.

One afternoon, after school, Tori wandered to a secluded spot behind the bleachers, a place she often went to think. She hugged her knees to her chest, letting the silence wrap around her as she tried to make sense of her feelings. Memories of Meur—of their late-night talks, his intense gaze that seemed to reach her when no one else could—played through her mind like scenes from a movie. They were tangled with pain, but she couldn't let them go.

Across town, Meur sat with a group of friends, his laugh echoing in the dim light of a local diner. He seemed carefree, as if Tori's message hadn't reached him, as if he'd moved on.

As Friday night rolled around, another party sprung up at one of the senior's houses. Tori heard Maya talking about it with excitement, practically pleading for her to come along.

"C'mon, Tor. Just for a little while. We don't even have to stay long," Maya urged, her eyes bright with the thrill of the weekend.

Reluctantly, Tori agreed, hoping in some deep part of her that Meur might show up. The thought of seeing him again stirred her out of her shell. She felt a sense of quiet determination as she got dressed, pulling on her favorite oversized sweater and jeans. She wasn't dressing to impress—she just wanted to be near him.

At the party, Tori stayed near the edge of the room, watching the crowd drift in waves around her. Music thumped in the background, and laughter filled the space, but Tori felt detached from it all, her mind drifting back to Meur.

Tori paced the corner of the room, clutching her cup as she watched Meur from across the party, tension knotting inside her. He looked relaxed, his gaze flicking easily around the room, never quite landing on her. She wanted so desperately to go to him, but every time she gathered the courage, a pang of self-doubt held her back.

Maya noticed Tori's distraction and came to her side, bumping her shoulder playfully. "Why don't you just go over there?"

Tori sighed, "I don't think he wants me around."

"Please. He's just being complicated," Maya replied, giving her an encouraging nudge. "But you're better than that. You should tell him how you feel. What's the worst that can happen?"

Tori hesitated, but Maya handed her a small cup. "Here, take this. Just one. For confidence."

Without thinking too much, Tori drank, the liquid warm as it settled, spreading a faint buzz that softened her nerves. She felt a new kind of courage building, loosening the tightness in her chest. Her eyes found Meur again, and this time, a surge of determination overpowered her shyness.

Steadying herself, she set her cup down and walked across the room, her heart pounding as she pushed through the crowded party. Meur stood by the far wall, laughing, his arm draped loosely around the shoulders of a girl who was leaning in, laughing a little too loudly at his every word. A flash of jealousy burned through her.

Tori's heart thundered in her chest, but before she could second-guess herself, she reached for Meur's hand, tugging him firmly toward the door. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he followed, leaving the girl behind with a faint look of confusion.

Outside, the night air was cool and sharp against Tori's flushed skin. She stopped under the streetlight, still holding Meur's hand. Her breath came out in fast, shallow bursts, and when she looked up, she saw the surprise in his eyes.

"What's going on, Tori?" he asked, his voice gentle but guarded.

She took a deep breath, her emotions tumbling out in a rush. "I can't do this anymore, Meur. I can't pretend I'm okay while you're just... ignoring me, like I don't even matter."

Meur looked down, his face unreadable. "I thought you wanted space."

"I didn't want space, Meur. I wanted you to care," she replied, her voice breaking. "I've been trying to hold myself together, but I can't. Every time you're not there, it hurts. You don't understand how much it tears me up."

Meur's gaze unreadable , and she felt her own anger and hurt well up uncontrollably. "I know you don't care like I do, but I can't just let go. I keep trying, but I'm stuck, Meur. I cut myself, hoping the pain would make you come back—hoping maybe somehow, you'd feel what I feel."

Silence stretched between them, her words hanging heavy in the air. Meur's eyes darkened with something she couldn't read, and he stepped closer, his face inches from hers. "I didn't know you felt like that," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Before she could say another word, his hands were on her waist, pulling her close, and his lips met hers. The world around them faded as he kissed her, the pressure fierce, almost desperate, as if he were pouring every unspoken word into that single, intense moment. His hand moved up her back, tangling in her hair, and Tori felt her pulse quicken, her body pressed against his.

The kiss deepened, his mouth tracing along her jawline and down her neck, sending chills down her spine. She clutched his jacket, grounding herself as his lips left a trail of heat against her skin. They were lost in each other, neither of them willing to break the intensity of the moment.

"Come on," Meur whispered, his voice thick, guiding her toward his car parked nearby. They slipped inside, the car a cocoon around them as the silence wrapped them up, shielding them from everything else.

Meur pulled her close, his hand tracing gentle lines down her arm, making her shiver. Their eyes met, and he leaned in again, his lips capturing hers, this time softer, more intent, his fingers slipping under the edge of her shirt, tracing the bare skin at her waist. Tori's pulse raced as his hands moved to her hips, pulling her even closer.

His mouth moved to her neck again, pressing gentle, lingering kisses along her collarbone, his hands finding the hem of her sweater and lifting it slightly, his fingertips grazing her skin. She closed her eyes, letting herself melt into his touch, her own hands sliding up to rest against his chest, feeling his heartbeat through the thin fabric of his shirt.

For a moment, they were completely caught up in each other, the world outside forgotten. But then, Meur pulled back, his breathing shallow as he looked into her eyes. "Tori..." he began, his voice a low whisper. There was a conflict in his gaze, a silent question he couldn't seem to put into words.

She shook her head slightly, pressing a finger to his lips.

He pulled her in once more, their lips meeting with renewed intensity, but as the kiss deepened, he pulled back again, his hand gently resting on her cheek. "Maybe we should stop here," he whispered, his voice rough but full of tenderness.

Tori blinked, feeling the weight of his words sink in. She could see it in his eyes—he cared, but he was holding back, caught between wanting her and the walls he'd built around himself.

They sat in silence for a moment, the air thick with unsaid words and emotions too strong to express. Tori reached out, her fingers entwining with his, and leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

As they sat there, she realized that, for now, this was enough. Just being close to him, feeling his warmth and knowing that, despite everything, he was there—this was all she needed.