Cuori in evoluzione

In my reflection

Chapter 2: Hidden Fragility

Liam couldn't stop thinking about Theo. Every day, that extroverted, confident guy seemed to get closer to him with an ease that unsettled him. The first few days at school had been a series of awkward silences and brief exchanges, but now, Theo seemed to be making an extra effort to stay near him. Every lunch break, they sat together, and Liam couldn't tell if it was by chance or if Theo really wanted to get to know him.

Liam couldn't shake the strange feeling, as if his life itself was changing, even though he didn't want to admit it. He felt vulnerable, as if something he had always tried to keep hidden was slowly surfacing. And yet, he couldn't help but notice how Theo was... himself. Himself in the way he presented himself, in the way he spoke and laughed, himself in the way he never worried about what others thought. Liam, on the other hand, was always on guard. Every word that came out of his mouth was weighed, every movement calculated. Yet, with Theo, it seemed like none of that was necessary.

"So, how's school going?" Theo asked one day, as they sat on the cafeteria bench, his plate of cold pasta in front of him.

Liam shrugged, trying not to seem too closed off. "Nothing special," he replied, feeling strangely distant from his usual indifference. Why couldn't he be distant with Theo? Why, despite being so different from him, did he feel like Theo could understand everything without even saying a word?

Theo looked at him for a moment, a knowing smile on his lips. "Look, I know it's tough. When I moved here, I didn't have anyone to talk to either. But you know, the more you talk, the more you get to know someone. Sometimes, it just takes a small step."

Liam lowered his gaze. "It's not that easy," he mumbled. He didn't even know why he felt so confident talking to Theo, but something inside him sensed there was more to Theo than what he could see on the surface.

Theo studied him, as if trying to decipher the guy in front of him. "I know," he said quietly. "I know because I've been through it too. But believe me, sometimes it's harder to stay hidden than to take that first step."

Liam, who had spent his whole life trying to remain invisible, couldn't help but feel struck by those words. For the first time, he realized he didn't have to face everything on his own. But fear, that fear that gripped his stomach, paralyzed him every time he tried to take a step toward something new, was still there.

"Don't worry, you don't have to say everything right away," Theo added, as if he had read Liam's thoughts. "I just want you to know that you don't have to be perfect to be seen. You're already enough."

Liam's heart beat faster, but he couldn't say anything. How was Theo so... open? How did he not fear showing himself for who he was? How did he not fear being judged by those around him?

"When you're ready, talk to me," Theo said, his tone softer. "There's no rush."

Liam nodded, but in his heart, he felt a strange sensation, as if a small weight had been lifted. It wasn't just the promise that Theo was making to be there for him, but something he couldn't fully understand: a trust that was slowly beginning to grow between them, like a plant growing beneath the surface of the earth.

The next day, Liam found himself thinking again about those words as he walked down the hallway toward his classroom. Every now and then, the thought of Theo made him smile, but at the same time, it filled him with a certain fear. He had never felt so vulnerable, so torn between wanting to open up and fearing being seen for who he was. But his heart, which had always closed itself off from any chance of judgment, now seemed to beat a little faster.

It was the first time someone had looked at him like that, without fear of getting close, without fear of making him feel different. But Theo's courage unsettled him. How was he so sure of himself, so ready to live without hiding? Maybe Theo had gone through experiences that had toughened him, made him stronger. But Liam? Liam had always lived in silence, trying not to draw attention to himself. And yet, it was clear that something was changing. He could no longer ignore the feeling that something, finally, was starting to move inside him.

When lunch break came, Liam found Theo sitting at their usual table, surrounded by other kids who seemed more confident, more at ease. But despite his usual overwhelming presence, Theo looked around, and as soon as he saw Liam, he gave him a nod.

"Come sit with us," he said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Liam hesitated for a moment, but then walked toward the table. He had never had the courage to join a group like this, but something pushed him to do it. Maybe it was the way Theo made him feel, without any expectations. He sat down, trying not to seem too uncomfortable.

"Feeling better?" Theo asked when Liam settled down.

"Not really," Liam answered, scratching his neck. "I'm working on it."

"Don't worry," Theo said with a reassuring smile. "You'll get there, I can see it."

Liam smiled shyly, but inside he felt something was changing. He didn't know where this new friendship would lead, or if it would ever become something more. But for the first time, he felt like he didn't have to hide.

That evening, after school, Liam retreated to his corner, as he always did. His room was his refuge, a place where he felt safe from the judgments and questions of others. But that evening, instead of feeling protected, he felt a growing frustration. The conversation with Theo had made him realize how hard it was for him to reveal himself, to accept who he was. The thought of revealing his sexuality to someone, of taking a step beyond the wall he had built around himself, made him anxious. And yet, somehow, he felt like Theo was the right person to do it with. But he was afraid.

In a moment of weakness, as he stared at the ceiling, he thought about what would happen if he told everything. What if he told Theo, for example, that he too was afraid of being accepted for who he was? That the thought of telling the people closest to him that he was different paralyzed him.

That evening, Theo sent him a message.

"Hey, want to chat tomorrow after school?"

Liam stared at the phone for a moment. Then, without thinking too much, he wrote back: "Yeah, see you then."

It was the first step. He didn't know what would happen next, but for the first time, he felt ready to take that step.

Hey! 🌟

Thank you so much for reading Chapter 2 of Hearts in Evolution! 💖

I hope you liked seeing Liam's small steps, his doubts, and how he's starting to get closer to Theo. It's a tough time for him, but every emotion he's feeling is a step toward his growth, and I'm so happy you're on this journey with him.

Every week, there will be a new chapter to check out, and I hope you'll keep reading! I can't wait to show you what happens next and all the surprises coming your way. 🌈

Keep believing in hearts that evolve. The best is still ahead!

See you soon,
Blue

PS: The song for this chapter is "Courage" by Villagers.

The song is all about courage, but also about weakness, uncertainty, and the struggle to accept yourself. Theo, with his empathy, is helping Liam overcome his fear of being judged, but Liam is also starting to open up, even though it's hard. "Courage" really captures this inner battle.

Note: I am not a native English speaker, so there may be some mistakes in my translation.