The Roots Beneath

Chapter 19: Unspoken Tension

The tension in the house lingered in the air like a storm waiting to break. Seren stood just inside the front door, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag as she listened to the sharp voices coming from the kitchen.

"I don't want to argue about this again, Robert," her mother's voice snapped, exasperated.

"We don't have a choice, Grace!" her father shot back, his tone edged with frustration. "You saw what happened last night—"

Seren cleared her throat loudly, stepping further into the house. "Hey," she called, forcing a casual tone. "I'm home."

The kitchen fell silent. A moment later, her mother appeared in the doorway, her expression smoothing into something almost normal, but the worry still lingered in her eyes.

"Hi, sweetheart," she said, offering a quick smile.

Her father stayed in the kitchen, gripping the back of a chair, his knuckles white. He gave Seren a curt nod before glancing away, as if suddenly remembering something important on the kitchen table.

Seren shifted on her feet, her instincts telling her that whatever they had been arguing about wasn't just some everyday disagreement.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice careful.

Her mother let out a soft sigh, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Nothing for you to worry about."

Which meant it was definitely something to worry about.

Seren glanced at her father, but he was still looking anywhere but at her.

"Okay," she said slowly, deciding not to push. If there was one thing she had learned about her parents, it was that they didn't give up information unless they absolutely had to. Instead, she grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter. "I'll be upstairs."

Her mother hesitated, as if debating whether to say something, but in the end, she simply nodded. "Alright. Dinner in an hour."

Seren took that as her cue to leave.

She climbed the stairs, her mind still caught on the tension in her parents' voices. She wanted to ask more, to dig into whatever they weren't telling her, but she knew she wouldn't get far. They never let her in on their real worries.

With a sigh, she shut her bedroom door behind her and pulled out her phone.

Still nothing from Elijah.

She chewed on her lip, debating whether she should text him or give him space. He hadn't been at school after lunch, and now, hours later, she still had no idea why.

Her fingers hovered over the screen before she gave in and typed a quick message.

Seren: Hey, you okay?

She stared at the message for a moment, then added another.

Seren: You disappeared earlier.

Setting her phone down, she flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she was overthinking things. Maybe Elijah had just needed to get out of class. Maybe this had nothing to do with the strange look he had before he left.

But a small voice in her head told her otherwise.

A few minutes passed. Then a few more.

Her phone buzzed.

She grabbed it instantly, expecting Elijah's name to pop up, but instead, it was Emily.

Emily: I know you're thinking about him, don't even deny it.

Seren let out a small laugh, shaking her head. Emily knew her too well.

Seren: Shut up.

Emily: No <3 but seriously, are you excited for Saturday?

The reminder of their date sent a fresh wave of nerves through her.

Seren: Yeah, I think so.

Emily: You THINK? Girl, he's been into you for ages. You should be swooning right now.

Seren rolled her eyes but smiled.

Seren: I'm just nervous, I guess.

Emily: You'll be fine. And if you need help picking out an outfit, I am at your service.

Seren laughed, feeling a little lighter.

Seren: Thanks, Em.

She put her phone down, but the relief was short-lived.

Elijah still hadn't answered.

The next morning, Seren found herself scanning the hallway the moment she stepped into school.

Still no sign of him.

Her stomach twisted. Where was he?

She made her way to her locker, trying not to let her worry get the best of her. Maybe he had just been sick, or something had come up at home.

But as she closed her locker, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Elijah's back."

Seren turned to see Emily standing there, arms crossed, eyebrows raised like she had just delivered the biggest piece of gossip of the year.

"Where?" Seren asked immediately, her voice a little too eager.

Emily smirked. "Oh, you know. Just by the front doors, looking all broody and mysterious as usual."

Seren rolled her eyes but couldn't deny the relief that flooded her. Without thinking, she turned toward the entrance, but Emily caught her arm.

"Uh-uh," Emily teased. "You are not running straight to him like some lovesick puppy."

Seren groaned. "I wasn't going to."

Emily gave her a knowing look. "Sure."

Still, Seren forced herself to slow down as they made their way toward the entrance. And there he was—leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets, his dark eyes scanning the hallway.

The moment their gazes met, something in Elijah's expression softened.

Seren hesitated for only a second before walking up to him. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," Elijah replied, his voice quieter than usual.

"You okay?" she asked, searching his face. "You kinda disappeared yesterday."

Elijah hesitated, like he was choosing his words carefully. "Yeah. Just had to deal with something."

Something. That was vague.

Seren frowned. "Are you—"

"I'm fine," he said quickly, then seemed to realize how abrupt he sounded. He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry. I just... I didn't mean to make you worry."

Seren wasn't sure she believed him. But for now, she let it go.

"Alright," she said. "Well, you missed Emily cornering me about our date."

That got a small, amused smile out of him. "Did she demand to pick out your outfit?"

"Oh, absolutely."

Elijah chuckled, and for the first time since she saw him, the tension in his shoulders eased.

As they stood there, a comfortable silence settling between them, Seren realized something.

She might not know what had happened yesterday, or why Elijah had disappeared so suddenly.

But she did know one thing.

Whatever was going on with him, she wanted to be the person he trusted enough to tell.