His name was Nathaniel

103

The ride home was eerily silent.

Adaliya sat stiffly in her seat, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the passing city lights. Across from her, Nathaniel leaned against the car door, his eyes blankly staring out the window, lost in his own thoughts. Between them, Violet fidgeted uncomfortably, her gaze darting from one to the other, clearly struggling to make sense of the suffocating tension in the car.

She had always been good at breaking awkward silences, at lightening the mood, but this was different. This was heavy.

Violet exhaled quietly, then cleared her throat. "So..." she started hesitantly, forcing a small, uneasy smile. "Maybe I should book a hotel for myself tonight? That way, you two can have the flat to—"

"No."

Nathaniel's voice was sharp, final.

Violet blinked. "What?"

"I'm staying at a hotel," he said flatly, still not looking at either of them.

Adaliya's head snapped toward him. "What?"

Nathaniel didn't respond.

Adaliya's jaw tightened. "You're running away again?"

He let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. "Adaliya—"

"Are you serious right now?" she cut him off, her voice rising. "After everything we just talked about? You just decide to leave?"

"I'm not leaving," he muttered, clearly trying to keep his voice calm.

"Yes, you are," she shot back. "You always do this! The second things get too real, you just disappear."

Nathaniel's jaw clenched. "I need space."

Adaliya scoffed. "Space from me?"

He didn't answer.

Violet shifted uncomfortably. "Guys—"

"I cannot believe you," Adaliya went on, her voice sharp with frustration. "You're the one who wanted to talk about the future. You're the one who wanted things to move faster. And now, just because I'm not saying exactly what you want to hear, you shut down and—"

"That's not what's happening."

"Then what is happening?"

Nathaniel inhaled sharply, his patience visibly thinning. "I just need a break, Adaliya."

Her chest burned with frustration. "From me?" she repeated, incredulous.

Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, his movements tense. "I—"

"From me, Nathaniel?" Adaliya pressed, her voice almost trembling now. "After everything?"

Violet tried again, her voice softer, more desperate. "Okay, maybe we should all just—"

"I don't want to be near you!"

Nathaniel's voice rang through the car, loud and forceful, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Everything went silent.

Adaliya's breath caught in her throat.

Violet froze, her eyes wide.

The weight of Nathaniel's words settled like a crushing force in the small space between them.

Adaliya didn't move. Didn't speak.

Nathaniel's face fell almost immediately, as if realizing, too late, what he had just said.

But the damage was already done.

Adaliya's expression hardened, her eyes darkening as she turned away, staring out the window. She didn't say another word.

She didn't have to.

Nathaniel swallowed thickly. "Adaliya, I didn't—"

But she wasn't listening anymore.

She had shut down completely.