Reaching You, My Reneo

Chapter 18: Unwanted Feelings

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Reneo sat in the campus café, nursing a cup of coffee, his thoughts a turbulent mix of confusion and frustration. He had noticed Thora and Lucas together more often lately—sharing laughs, exchanging glances that lingered a little too long, and the way they seemed to light up each other’s worlds. It was an unsettling sight that gnawed at him, igniting a jealousy he couldn’t quite shake off.

He remembered the moments he had with Thora—those stolen smiles, the intimate conversations they once shared. How could he have taken that for granted? And now, seeing her with Lucas, he felt a sharp pang of regret. It was as if he had lost something precious without even realizing it.

As he stirred his coffee absentmindedly, Reneo glanced up just in time to see Thora and Lucas enter the café, laughing together. Lucas had his arm draped casually over her shoulders, and Thora looked genuinely happy—radiating a light that he hadn’t seen in a long time. The sight struck him like a punch to the gut.

What was wrong with him? He had made his choice, hadn’t he? He had been indifferent, too wrapped up in his own life to notice how much Thora had cared for him. Now, watching her with someone else, he felt a deep sense of loss and frustration.

“Hey, are you okay?” a voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Mia, a friend from his art class. She slid into the seat across from him, her eyes narrowed with concern. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Reneo forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, just thinking about some stuff.”

“Like what?” Mia pressed, her curiosity piqued. She followed his gaze toward Thora and Lucas, who were now seated at a corner table, completely absorbed in each other. “Ah, I see. It’s about her, isn’t it?”

Reneo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I just… I didn’t think I’d feel this way. I thought I was over it.”

Mia studied him for a moment, her expression shifting to one of understanding. “It’s normal to feel jealous, Reneo. You and Thora had something real, even if you didn’t fully appreciate it at the time. But you can’t expect her to wait around forever.”

He leaned back in his chair, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I know that! But seeing her with him… it’s like a slap in the face. She deserves to be happy, but why does it have to be with him?”

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Maybe because he’s treating her the way you should have. She’s smiling like she hasn’t in ages. Isn’t that what you wanted for her?”

Reneo looked away, the truth in her words cutting deep. He had pushed her away, and now he was paying the price. It felt unfair, watching someone else step into the space he had neglected.

“Do you think it’s too late?” he asked quietly, a sense of desperation creeping into his voice.

“Honestly?” Mia said, leaning in. “If you really care about her, you need to talk to her. Don’t let this chance slip away just because you’re afraid of what might happen. You could regret it for the rest of your life.”

Reneo nodded, but doubt still clouded his mind. What could he say that would make a difference now? The thought of facing Thora, of admitting his mistakes, filled him with dread. He had seen the way she lit up around Lucas, and it terrified him to think he might be too late.

“Let’s go talk to her,” Mia suggested, breaking through his thoughts. “You’ll never know until you try.”

Reneo hesitated, glancing back at Thora. She was animated, laughing at something Lucas had said, her eyes sparkling with joy. In that moment, he felt a surge of resolve. If he wanted her back, he had to fight for her.

“Okay, let’s do it,” he said, standing up. As he made his way toward Thora, his heart raced, a mix of anxiety and determination propelling him forward.

“Thora!” he called out, his voice cutting through the cozy atmosphere of the café.

She turned, surprise washing over her face as she met his gaze. Lucas looked up too, a slight tension settling over the table as he regarded Reneo.

“Reneo, hey!” Thora said, her smile faltering slightly. “What are you doing here?”

“Can we talk for a second?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual despite the weight of his emotions.

Thora exchanged a glance with Lucas, who nodded slightly, clearly sensing the gravity of the moment. “Sure,” she replied, standing up and walking over to him, her expression shifting to one of concern.

As they stepped away from the table, Reneo felt the distance between them—a chasm of unspoken words and unresolved feelings. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage.

“Thora, I—” he started, but the words caught in his throat. Looking into her eyes, he felt the gravity of what he was about to say. “I know I messed up. I didn’t appreciate you when I had the chance, and now… seeing you with Lucas, it made me realize how much I care.”

Thora’s eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and vulnerability flickering across her face. “Reneo, I… I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“I know it’s complicated,” he continued, his voice earnest. “But I don’t want to lose you. Not again. I see how happy you are, and it kills me to think that I might have lost my chance.”

A heavy silence fell between them as Thora considered his words. Reneo could feel his heart pounding in his chest, waiting for her response. Would she see the sincerity in his eyes, or would she turn away?

Finally, she spoke, her voice soft yet firm. “I’ve moved on, Reneo. I’m not going to pretend like everything is the same between us. I’m happy with Lucas, and he treats me well.”

Reneo felt a pang of sorrow but nodded, understanding the truth in her words. “I just needed you to know that I regret how things ended. You deserve someone who sees you for who you are. I wish I had done that when I had the chance.”

Thora’s expression softened, but her resolve remained. “I appreciate that, really. But I’m not going to wait around for you to figure things out. I have to look out for myself now.”

As she stepped back, Reneo felt the distance growing between them once more—a painful reminder of what he had lost. He watched her return to Lucas, who greeted her with an easy smile, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. The sight stirred a mix of emotions within him, a bittersweet acknowledgment that he had let something beautiful slip through his fingers.

As they shared laughter and warmth, Reneo turned away, his heart heavy but his mind clearer. He had to accept the consequences of his choices and let Thora find her happiness, even if it wasn’t with him. He knew he had to move on too, but it wouldn’t be easy.

As he left the café, Reneo realized that the path ahead would be challenging, but it was time to face his own feelings and let go of the past. He would have to learn to navigate life without Thora by his side, cherishing the lessons learned from their time together. With each step he took away from the café, he felt a resolve growing within him—a determination to better himself, not just for Thora, but for his own future.

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