Liora sat quietly at the back of the classroom, her caramel-colored eyes fixed on the board but her mind drifting, as it often did. The air-conditioned hum of the room was a constant backdrop, soothing in its monotony. She was used to it by now—the calm, controlled environment of the physics class, the rhythm of lessons that had become familiar and comforting in their predictability.

But today, there was a shift.

Across the room, Kaito sat among his friends, the same group he always seemed to gravitate toward. He didn’t stand out in the traditional sense—he wasn’t the loudest or the most flamboyant—but there was something about him that made people look, even when he wasn’t trying to be noticed. Liora felt it too, though she didn’t want to admit it.

She didn’t know why, but every time his gaze slipped toward her, it set off a fluttering in her chest. It wasn’t anything obvious, nothing she could name, but it lingered—a small, quiet discomfort that tightened around her heart. It was just a glance. Just a fleeting moment. But it was enough.

Her thoughts were never entirely her own when Kaito was near. It wasn’t just the way he looked at her. It was the way everything seemed to pause for a second. Liora would catch his eyes, and in that small moment, a thousand thoughts would swirl in her mind, none of them making sense. Was it something in her expression? Something about the way she sat? Or was it just her own mind, overthinking every interaction, reading too much into something that probably wasn’t there?

Liora wasn’t sure, and that uncertainty gnawed at her. She wasn’t used to feeling like this. She liked her space, her quiet corner in the world where nothing was complicated. She didn’t like attention, especially not from people who, by all rights, should have been just another face in the crowd.

And yet, there was Kaito, effortlessly capturing her attention without ever saying a word. His presence was like a shadow, following her whether she acknowledged it or not. His eyes, dark and unreadable, would always find her, just for a moment, before flicking away. But Liora couldn’t shake the feeling that it meant something more.

She wasn’t naïve. She knew people looked, but this—this felt different. It wasn’t the casual glance of someone simply passing the time. There was something in his gaze, something that unsettled her, something that made her question herself. Why did it make her heart race like this? Why did she feel this tension every time his eyes brushed against hers, as if some invisible force was pulling her in despite every instinct screaming to look away?

The class went on, but Liora’s thoughts were fractured, lost in the quiet storm of her own uncertainty. She wasn’t one to let emotions guide her—she had always been the type to keep her distance, to observe rather than participate. But Kaito’s gaze seemed to breach that distance, leaving her with questions she couldn’t answer.

Nova, sitting next to her, scribbled away with her usual focus. Liora could feel her friend’s occasional glances toward her, the unspoken words hanging in the air. Nova knew. She could tell. But Liora wasn’t ready to voice it, wasn’t ready to admit that there was something about Kaito that she couldn’t ignore, something that made her heart beat just a little faster whenever he was near.

“Stop looking at him,” Nova murmured, barely audible.

Liora stiffened, her cheeks burning despite herself. “I’m not.”

Nova raised an eyebrow, not buying it for a second. “Sure you’re not.”

Liora didn’t answer. Instead, she focused on the teacher’s next words, the familiar rhythm of his voice grounding her once more. But even as she tried to push the thoughts away, she could still feel the weight of Kaito’s gaze, lingering just at the edge of her awareness. She didn’t want to think about it, didn’t want to feel this unease. But it was there, uninvited, and there was no escaping it.

It wasn’t a crush. Liora didn’t believe in those. It was just—curiosity? She told herself that was all it was. A fleeting, meaningless thing.

But as the class continued, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that it was more than that. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t sure what to do about it.

Liora’s feet shifted nervously on the pavement as she stood outside the tuition center, the late afternoon sun casting a pale, golden glow on everything. The usual hum of the city around them was muted, as if the world had slowed down, leaving her in the space between moments. Her parents, usually punctual, had yet to arrive—something that felt out of place, as if the very fabric of her routine had been disrupted.

Beside her, Nova stood with her arms crossed, her tall frame almost seeming to tower over Liora, as it always did. Her friend wasn’t in a rush. She never was, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to Liora’s restless energy. They had been standing for what felt like hours, but in reality, it had only been a few minutes.

"Do you think something happened to them?" Liora murmured, glancing at her phone for the hundredth time. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, though there was no reason for it. Her parents were always on time, never a minute late.

Nova’s eyes flicked to Liora, a knowing look passing between them. "They’re fine, Liora. Stop overthinking." Nova’s voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of something—perhaps concern, perhaps curiosity. She always saw through Liora’s layers, even when she didn’t want her to.

Before Liora could respond, Nova’s gaze shifted, catching something in the distance. Liora followed her friend’s line of sight, her own heart suddenly tightening as she saw the figure of Kaito, standing near the edge of the building, a slight figure by his side. Asher, his friend, stood with him, but there was something different this time. There was a shift in the air.

Liora’s breath caught in her throat when she saw what was happening.

Kaito was backed against the wall, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something more intense, something unfamiliar. Ren—another boy from their class, tall and imposing—had him cornered, a hand pressed against his chest. For a moment, time seemed to freeze, and Liora felt her body tense, instinctively wanting to look away, yet unable to tear her eyes from the scene.

It was unexpected, yet somehow not surprising. Liora wasn’t new to the dynamics of her classmates, the unspoken bonds between them, the strange, often intense connections they shared. But seeing it in front of her, seeing it unfold so suddenly, made the air feel heavier, the tension palpable. It wasn’t a scene they could ignore, not this time.

Nova, of course, wasn’t one to hold back. Her lips curled into a smirk, as if she were witnessing a show she had seen a hundred times. "Looks like the boys are at it again," she said, her voice light, though there was something deeper there, something that Liora wasn’t sure how to name.

Liora’s mind was spinning. It was hard to ignore what she was seeing, but it also wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. The line between friendship and something more had always been a little blurred for their classmates—especially for boys like Kaito and Ren. But to see it so overtly, so openly? It felt like a wall had been broken down in a single moment, a moment Liora wasn’t sure she was ready to witness.

Kaito’s eyes met hers. It was fleeting, just a glance, but it was enough. His usual detached expression softened, just slightly, a flicker of something—was it embarrassment? Annoyance? He rolled his eyes toward Nova with a subtle shrug, as if the whole thing was no big deal, as if this moment was something he had resigned himself to. But to Liora, it felt like more. It felt like a silent admission of something she wasn’t supposed to see, wasn’t supposed to understand.

Her heart stuttered for just a second.

Nova’s expression darkened, an unexpected flash of annoyance crossing her features. Without thinking, she raised a middle finger toward Kaito. It was a small gesture, but in that moment, it felt like it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken words. Liora could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, a mixture of discomfort and something else—something she couldn’t name.

Kaito, unfazed, simply smirked, his eyes narrowing in mock challenge. Liora could see the playful glint in his eyes, the same one she had caught glimpses of before—when their eyes had met across the classroom, when their worlds had briefly collided. But this time, it felt different. This wasn’t a glance across a classroom. This wasn’t a quiet moment of observation. This was a confrontation, raw and unguarded.

And yet, in the midst of it all, Liora found herself strangely calm, as if some part of her had already known it was coming. She had expected this side of Kaito, the one that was never fully visible, the one hidden behind layers of charm and indifference. It was a side she had never fully allowed herself to acknowledge, never fully understood.

Nova’s hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. "Let’s go," she murmured. "They’ll figure it out."

But Liora didn’t move. Her eyes lingered on Kaito and Ren, the scene still playing out in her mind. Her heart was a tangled mess of emotions—curiosity, confusion, and something that felt like a quiet ache. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, but she knew one thing for certain: this wasn’t just a game for them. There was something more here, something deeper, and Liora wasn’t sure she was ready to face it.

Nova, noticing Liora's hesitation, gave a soft sigh. "Come on, you don’t want to stand here all day." She turned and walked toward her parents’ car parked nearby, leaving Liora standing on the curb, still caught in the weight of the moment.

Reluctantly, Liora followed, the image of Kaito and Ren still fresh in her mind. As they neared the car, Liora could feel the tension easing from her shoulders, though the questions remained—unanswered, unresolved. But one thing was certain: the world she knew was changing, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.

The night settled around Liora like a heavy, suffocating blanket. The streetlights outside cast long shadows through the windows, their flickering light barely enough to chase away the darkness. Inside her room, Liora lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Her mind refused to quiet, each thought racing faster than the last.

Her body was still, but her senses were alive, too aware of the stillness. The rhythmic ticking of the clock was the only sound, a harsh reminder of the silence that pressed in from all sides. She tossed and turned, trying to ignore the faint creaks of the old house, the whisper of the wind brushing against the window. But there was something else, something different in the air tonight.

A noise. A scrape. Almost imperceptible, but undeniable.

Liora’s heart fluttered, a shiver running down her spine. She lay motionless, straining her ears to listen. The house was too quiet—too still for comfort. The sound came again, faint, but closer this time. A soft shuffle, a gentle rustle, like something—or someone—was moving in the shadows.

Her eyes darted to the window, the room plunged in darkness save for the pale slivers of moonlight creeping in. She held her breath, waiting. But it wasn’t just the usual creaks and groans of the old house. This was different. This wasn’t the sound of the house settling, of the wind brushing through the trees. This was something... deliberate. Someone.

Liora sat up, her legs frozen beneath the covers. She could feel her pulse in her throat, her mind racing with possibilities. Was someone in the house? The thought made her stomach twist. But the house was quiet. Her parents were asleep in the next room. It was too quiet. It didn’t make sense.

Another noise, louder this time. The unmistakable sound of something shifting in the next room. Liora’s eyes widened. She slid out of bed, her feet landing on the cool floor with barely a sound. She moved to the door, the floorboards creaking under her weight, but it didn’t matter now. Every instinct screamed at her to stay silent, to stay hidden, but her curiosity—and fear—were stronger than her hesitation. She had to know what was happening.

Liora crept out into the dark hallway, holding her breath. Her hand trembled as it brushed against the wall, the silence deafening around her. She could see the faint outline of her parents’ door ahead, closed, the soft sound of their steady breathing from within. But it was the other door that caught her attention—the one that led to the backyard, the one facing the next house.

That’s when she heard it: the sound of a torch flicking on. The soft, eerie glow of light spilling through the cracks of the door at the end of the hallway. The low hum of footsteps. Someone was there. In the yard. And they were... shining a light into the dark, as if searching. Searching for something—or someone.

Liora’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure it would wake her parents. She stayed frozen, her body rigid with terror, eyes fixed on the door. Whoever it was, they didn’t know she was here. The house next door was empty for the moment—Liora remembered that clearly. The owner had gone on a trip, leaving the house abandoned for a few days. But that didn’t explain the figure moving around in the yard, flashlight in hand, moving from shadow to shadow with precision.

Liora’s mind raced. A thief. It had to be. Her pulse quickened, her hands shaking as she pressed her back against the wall, trying to steady her breath.

Without thinking, she moved toward the door to her parents’ room. She shook her mother awake first, her voice barely a whisper, a tremble of urgency in her words.

“Mom, Dad... wake up. There’s someone outside... I think... I think there’s a thief.”

Her parents stirred, half-awake, their confusion slowly turning to concern as the urgency in Liora’s voice cut through the haze of sleep. Her mother’s hand reached for the light switch, but the room stayed dim, the faint glow of the moonlight falling across their worried faces.

Liora’s father was on his feet first. His voice, usually calm and steady, was sharp with tension. “Call the police. Stay here. We’ll check it out.”

Liora’s hands trembled as she grabbed her phone, her fingers fumbling over the screen. But the words she was about to speak—telling someone about the intruder—seemed like an eternity away. It felt surreal, as if she were still stuck in some half-dream, her mind too clouded to focus.

Her parents moved swiftly, quietly through the house. They checked the windows first, the curtains parting just enough to peer outside. Nothing. But Liora couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was still out there, hidden in the shadows, waiting.

And then, just as they were about to leave the kitchen, Liora froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Through the crack in the hallway, she saw him—a figure in the dim light. But this time, it wasn’t just the faint glow of the torch. The figure was inside. In the kitchen. Moving silently, carefully, just out of reach of the light.

Her breath caught in her throat. Liora’s hand instinctively reached for the flashlight in her pocket, the light flicking on with a soft click. The beam cut through the darkness, and there he was, standing still, his back turned as he rummaged through the drawers.

Liora’s pulse raced. The thief hadn’t left. He was still here.

Her parents hadn’t noticed yet. She could see the figure clearly now—dressed in dark clothes, his face hidden in the shadows, his movements quick and deliberate. The light from the torch flickered again, briefly illuminating his face, but only for a moment.

Liora’s heart hammered in her chest. This was no longer just a bad dream. Her hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the flashlight steady. She turned it toward her parents, but before she could make a sound, they moved again, walking past the kitchen, unaware of what lurked just around the corner.

Liora’s mind raced. She couldn’t let him get away. She had to do something. She had to warn her parents.

But before she could react, she caught something out of the corner of her eye—just as the figure moved across the room. He froze, sensing her gaze. She held her breath. The seconds stretched on endlessly. Their eyes met.

Her pulse felt like a drum in her ears.

Liora quickly flashed the light toward him, her heart stopping as she saw him staring directly at her. In that moment, his cold, calculating eyes met hers, and the weight of his presence made her blood run cold.

She swallowed hard. “Dad!” she whispered urgently, almost a cry.

Her father turned, his eyes searching the dark room. “What? What is it, Liora?”

But when he shone his flashlight into the kitchen, there was no one. The room was empty, the space silent again.

Liora’s breath caught. The thief had disappeared—vanished without a trace.

But she knew what she had seen. The thief hadn’t gone, and the terrifying thought that someone had been right there, in her home, lingered in the back of her mind.

As her parents exchanged confused glances, Liora stood there, heart pounding, the weight of the fear still pressing on her chest. She had seen him. But now, there was only silence.

And for the first time, she understood how much darkness could hide in the quiet of the night.