Chapter 30: Unspoken Words
The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated Riley's room as she lay on her bed, her phone pressed to her ear. The rhythmic sound of Elena's breathing on the other end was a comforting lullaby, a testament to the hours they had spent talking.
"You still awake?" Riley whispered, a playful grin tugging at her lips.
Elena's voice, muffled by sleep, responded, "Barely. Your voice is too soothing."
Riley chuckled softly.
"I have that effect on people," she teased.
Elena laughed, a sound that warmed Riley's heart.
"I bet you do," Elena replied.
They fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only true friends share.
"You know," Riley began, her voice thoughtful, "I never imagined we'd end up like this."
"Like what?" Elena asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Talking for hours on end," Riley said. "I mean, we've always been close, but this... this feels different."
Elena smiled, her eyes still closed.
"I know what you mean," she murmured. "It's like we've found a new level to our friendship."
Riley nodded, even though Elena couldn't see her.
"Yeah," she agreed. "It's nice."
Another comfortable silence enveloped them, the kind that spoke volumes without the need for words.
As the minutes ticked by, both girls felt the pull of sleep.
"I should let you go," Riley said softly.
"Yeah," Elena agreed. "But let's do this again soon."
"Definitely," Riley replied.
"Goodnight, Riley," Elena whispered.
"Goodnight, Elena," Riley responded, her heart fluttering at the sound of Elena's voice.
With a final sigh, they both drifted into a peaceful sleep, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing day.
---
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Riley's room. She stirred, blinking against the light, and reached for her phone.
A smile spread across her face as she saw a message from Elena.
Elena: Good morning! Want to hang out today?
Riley quickly typed a response.
Riley: Absolutely. What do you have in mind?
Elena: How about we grab some coffee and then go for a walk in the park?
Riley: Sounds perfect. I'll meet you at the café in an hour?
Elena: See you there.
Riley set her phone down and stretched, a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
---
The café was bustling with the usual morning crowd when Riley arrived. She spotted Elena sitting by the window, a book open in front of her.
"Hey," Riley greeted, sliding into the seat across from Elena.
Elena looked up, her face lighting up with a smile.
"Hey," she replied, marking her place in the book and setting it aside.
"What are you reading?" Riley asked, nodding toward the book.
"Oh, just something for class," Elena said, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
Riley chuckled.
"You know, you could just admit you're a bookworm," she teased.
Elena rolled her eyes playfully.
"I am not a bookworm," she retorted.
"Sure you're not," Riley said with a smirk.
Elena laughed, shaking her head.
"Okay, maybe a little," she conceded.
Riley grinned.
"I knew it," she said triumphantly.
Elena smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"You're impossible," she said fondly.
"And you love me for it," Riley replied, winking.
Elena laughed, shaking her head.
"I suppose I do," she said.
They ordered their drinks, and as they waited, they continued to chat about their classes, their plans for the weekend, and everything in between.
When their drinks arrived, they took them to go and headed to the nearby park.
The park was serene, with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
They found a quiet bench near the pond and sat down, sipping their drinks in companionable silence.
After a while, Elena turned to Riley.
"So," she began, her tone casual, "how's everything going with you?"
Riley shrugged.
she replied, taking a sip of her coffee. "Classes, group projects, trying not to lose my mind. You know, the usual."
Elena chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Sounds about right," she said. "Though I feel like you're handling it better than most. You always seem so... put together."
Riley arched an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on her lips.
"Put together? Me? Thatâs a first. Usually, Iâm the chaos in the room."
Elena shook her head, her gaze softening.
"No, really. Youâve got this quiet confidence about you. Like, even when things are falling apart, you know how to handle it."
Rileyâs smirk faltered, replaced by a genuine smile. She turned her gaze to the pond, watching the ripples dance on the surface.
"Thanks," she said quietly. "But, uh, donât let the calm exterior fool you. Inside, itâs just... a lot of noise."
Elena tilted her head, studying her friendâs profile.
"Noise?" she asked gently.
Riley hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.
"Yeah, you know. Just... thoughts, doubts, overthinking everything. Itâs like a constant radio station that I canât turn off."
Elena reached out, her fingers brushing against Rileyâs arm in a comforting gesture.
"Thatâs normal," she said softly. "Everyone has their noise. But if it ever gets too loud, you know Iâm here, right?"
Riley glanced at her, her chest tightening at the sincerity in Elenaâs eyes. She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Yeah," she said. "I know. Thanks, Elena."
They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the moment lingering between them. It wasnât uncomfortable, though. If anything, it felt grounding, like theyâd peeled back another layer of their friendship.
"So," Elena said after a while, breaking the silence with a teasing grin, "are you going to tell me why people were practically falling over themselves to get your attention at the club the other night?"
Riley groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"Ugh, donât remind me," she said, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "It was so awkward."
Elena laughed, nudging Rileyâs shoulder.
"Awkward? Please. You looked like you were in your element. The mysterious, brooding type everyone wants to know."
Riley snorted, shaking her head.
"Brooding? Really? I was just trying not to spill my drink."
"Sure, sure," Elena said, her tone teasing. "But you have to admit, you enjoyed the attention a little."
Riley smirked, her confidence returning.
"Maybe a little," she admitted. "But only because it made someone else jealous."
Elenaâs cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, pretending to sip her drink.
"Jealous? Who wouldâve been jealous?" she asked, her voice casual but betraying a hint of nervousness.
Riley leaned closer, a playful glint in her eye.
"I donât know," she said, her tone teasing. "Maybe someone who kept glaring at anyone who came within five feet of me."
Elena laughed nervously, brushing her hair back again.
"Okay, fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I was a little jealous."
Rileyâs smirk softened into a warm smile.
"Good," she said simply.
Elena looked at her, surprised.
"Good?" she echoed.
Riley nodded, her gaze steady.
"Yeah," she said. "Because it means you care."
Elena opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. Instead, she simply smiled, the warmth of Rileyâs words settling in her chest.
They spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the park, their conversation light and easy. By the time they parted ways, it felt as though something unspoken had shifted between themâa deeper understanding, a closer bond.
As Riley walked back to her apartment, she found herself smiling, her thoughts lingering on Elena. Maybe, just maybe, they were on the brink of something more. Something neither of them had dared to say out loudâyet.
A/N
I'm so tired.