Within Me - You

CHAPTER# 17

  

[Rowen’s POV]

The morning light was pale, still waking with the city. The workshop sat quiet at the end of the street — shutters half open, the hum of machines faint behind its walls.

I spot her before she notices me — standing outside the building like she’s waiting for something. Or someone. Shoulders slightly tense, hands stuffed in her jacket pockets, staring at the ground like it holds answers.

“Keira?”
My voice comes out more surprised than I mean it to.

She jerks a little, looks up, and for a second—just a second, her eyes widen like she didn’t expect me at all. Then she gives this tiny smile. Too quick, too awkward, like she’s trying to pretend nothing’s off.

“Hey,” she says, and her voice trips on the word. She looks away immediately, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

I slow down as I reach her. “You’re… early.”

“Yeah. I— uh— woke up early.”
She gives another small smile, like she’s not sure what to do with her face, and it just makes her look even more unfamiliar.

I glance at the entrance. “So… why are you standing out here? Why not go inside?”

She hesitates — just long enough to notice. “I just… didn’t feel like going in yet.”

That doesn’t explain anything. At all.

“So does this mean that you're not retreating from my work?”

“Huh?”Her eyebrows arched. “Oh that's just- it's not for me to decide.”

The confusion grew more and more within me. I couldn’t keep up with her sudden unfamiliarity. Her sudden gentleness in her smile and not knowing what to do with her hands.

“Well since you're here anyway, I did text about us meeting at the office, not at the workshop today. Why are you here?”

Her expression shifted, not defensive, just startled.

“Oh yeah, I must have forgotten” she gave another uneasy smile.

“Why are you here then?” She questioned back.

“I forgot something,” I replied. “Wait here, I'll got get it”

She nodded.

I push the door open again, tugging on a bag i left yesterday

“Alright—” I began, but stopped.

Keira is standing exactly where I left her… yet something about her posture is different. Stiffer. More grounded. Her eyes are a little sharp – sweat dropping from the side of her forehead.

“You okay?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

She forces a steady breath. “Yeah. Why?”

“Nothing, you just look pale.”

She rolled her shoulders back. “Actually I need to use the bathroom.”

I stepped aside. “Go ahead.”

She nodded, already moving past me before I finished speaking. Her steps were a little uneven at first, like she wasn't even fully there, but she didn't stop. And just like that the street went quieter. Minutes passed as she stepped out and she looked settled.

Her posture was straight shoulders relaxed, no fidgeting, no hesitation. Her dark black eyes met mine instantly, steady in a way it finally felt familiar.