After that night, you and Victor find yourselves drawn to each other in ways neither of you can fully explain. There’s an understanding between you, an unspoken bond that grows stronger with each shared glance, each quiet word.
One afternoon, you’re waiting by his car after school, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. When he spots you, his expression brightens, and he walks over with a casual confidence that you’ve started to find endearing.
“Waiting for me?” he teases, though his voice carries a softness that wasn’t there before.
“Maybe,” you reply, trying to keep your voice steady. “Thought you might need some company.”
Victor’s eyes soften, and he leans against his car, close enough that you can feel the warmth radiating from him. “I think I do.”
There’s a long pause, each of you letting the silence settle, not needing to fill it with meaningless chatter. Finally, he looks at you, his gaze intense. “You know…I don’t let a lot of people in. It’s just…easier that way.”
“I get it,” you say softly, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. “But you don’t have to keep everything bottled up.”
He lets out a shaky breath, his shoulders dropping as he gives you a grateful smile. “You’re different, you know that?” he murmurs, his voice filled with a vulnerability that takes your breath away.
For a moment, you both stand there, letting the weight of your words linger. And as his hand reaches for yours, you feel a warmth spread through you, a silent understanding that, somehow, you’ve found something worth holding onto.
