Two lives.

38. More than words

June 4th
1:34 PM

I wandered into the lounge, still a little tired. The light from the windows was too bright for my liking, cutting harsh lines across the room and making me squint. Ophelia and Andi were already there, draped across the couch like it was their throne.

Without a word, I shuffled over and flopped onto the other end of the couch, sinking into the cushions next to Andi with a heavy sigh.

Ophelia leaned forward, craning her neck to look around Andi’s head. Her eyebrow arched with that familiar mix of judgment and curiosity she always wore so well.

“Well, well. Out of Ekko’s bed, I see?” she said, her tone dripping with mockery.

I groaned, dragging a pillow into my lap and hugging it like it could shield me from her words. “Do we have to start this right now?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Ophelia said, a wicked grin spreading across her face as she leaned back, looking far too pleased with herself. “It’s barely morning, and you’re already my favorite source of entertainment.”

Andi smirked, tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth from the bowl balanced on her lap. “She’s been waiting for you to come out here, you know.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I muttered, glaring at Andi before shifting my eyes back to Ophelia. “And for the record, nothing happened.”

Ophelia let out a laugh, sharp and incredulous. “Nothing happened? Please. You practically glow whenever you’ve been around him.”

“I do not glow,” I shot back, heat rushing to my cheeks.

“You kind of do,” Andi added unhelpfully, popping another piece of popcorn into her mouth.

I glared at her. “Whose side are you on?”

Andi shrugged, completely unapologetic. “I’m on the side of drama, obviously.”

Ophelia crossed her arms, tilting her head as she studied me. “So, if nothing happened, what were you doing in his room all night? Just… talking?” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Yes,” I said, my voice a little too defensive. “We were just talking.”

“Talking,” Ophelia echoed, drawing the word out like she didn’t believe it for a second.

“Seriously, Ophelia,” I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. “Can you not?”

“I can’t not,” she replied with a smug grin. “It’s physically impossible.”

Andi chuckled, nudging me with her elbow. “You’ve got to admit, though, it’s a little suspicious.”

I peeked out from behind the pillow, giving them both my best unimpressed look. “You two are the worst.”

“And yet you love us,” Ophelia shot back, a triumphant glint in her eyes.

"I don’t know who told you that," I muttered, playfully rolling my eyes as I pushed my hair out of my face.

"So explain to me how you managed to end up in his bed then." Andi raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with curiosity. She barely paused between words as she shoved another handful of popcorn into her mouth, chewing like she hadn’t eaten in days.

I sighed, staring at the wall in front of me, trying to piece together the events of last night. "I fell asleep at the picnic table at the party," I started, choosing my words carefully. "Ekko woke me up, and we walked back to the dorms together. I didn’t want to be alone, so... he let me stay the night."

Silence settled between us for a moment. I refused to make eye contact, already feeling the heat creeping up my neck. I knew the second I looked at them, my face would betray me.

Andi sucked her teeth. "Mhm. And you expect me to believe that nothing happened?"

"Nothing did happen!" I snapped, finally looking up, only to find her smirking.

"Right, because you just accidentally fell asleep next to him. Totally normal best friend behavior," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

Ophelia, who had been unusually quiet up until now, leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Did you want something to happen?"

I felt my stomach flip. "What? No! I mean—" I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Why are we even talking about this?"

Andi snickered, tossing a piece of popcorn at me. "Because it’s juicy, duh."

Ophelia nudged my knee with hers, her voice softer. "We’re just messing with you. But... you know you can tell us if there’s more to it."

I exhaled, letting my hands drop into my lap. "There’s nothing to tell. I was tired, he was there, and it just—happened. That’s all."

Andi still looked unconvinced, but she finally dropped it with a shrug. "Fine, fine. But if you two start acting weird around each other, just know I will be prying." 

Andi stood up abruptly, stretching her arms over her head. "I’m gonna go find something better to eat. This popcorn is cold." Without waiting for a response, she strolled out of the lounge, disappearing around the corner.

Ophelia and I sat in silence, both of us staring in the direction Andi had just left. The quiet stretched between us, thick with unspoken thoughts.

Then, Ophelia shifted slightly, turning toward me. "Sienna," she said softly, her voice breaking the stillness.

I glanced over at her. There was something in her expression—a mixture of seriousness and quiet understanding. It was the kind of look that told me whatever she was about to say, she meant it with her whole heart.

"Can you promise me something?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. A few of her dark curls slipped forward, framing her face, but she quickly brushed them aside with her fingers.

I swallowed, the weight of the moment settling on my chest. "Yeah?"

She hesitated for just a second, as if choosing her words carefully. "Promise me that... even if you and Ekko never date, you’ll always stay close to him?"

The air suddenly felt heavier, the tension wrapping around my ribs like a slow, tightening grip. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unsure of what to say.

I knew what she meant. Knew why she was asking.

Ekko wasn’t the type of person to let people in easily. And when he did let you in, it was like being given access to a part of him that most people never even got to see. Losing that—losing him—wasn’t something I wanted to think about.

Before I could even open my mouth to respond, Ophelia cut me off.

"I’ve been here for, what, three, maybe four years? Ekko’s been here even longer," she said, stretching her arm out along the back of the couch. We sat across from each other, the space between us feeling smaller than before, like the conversation was pulling us in.

She let out a small breath, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "And in all that time, I’ve never seen him this happy with someone."

I felt my stomach tighten, my pulse quickening.

"You mean a lot to him, Sienna. Even if he hasn’t said it outright, I promise you do." Her voice was steady, certain, like there wasn’t a doubt in her mind. "So please… just keep being you. Keep making him happy."

Her words hit deeper than I expected, settling into the parts of me I hadn’t fully acknowledged yet.

I had never felt so connected to someone before. And somehow, that someone just happened to be Ekko.

I looked down at my hands, my fingers twisting together. Then, after a beat, I nodded. "I promise."

Ophelia studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she smiled—small, but genuine. "Good."

And just like that, the heaviness in the air faded, replaced by something lighter. Something unspoken, but understood