The moonlight poured in through half-closed curtains, tracing silver lines across Ren's room like memories that refused to fade.
He lay still, phone on his chest, heart oddly quiet.
Buzz.
Her name lit up again.
Serin.
"Hey... truth or dare ?
I'm bored and you feel safe."
His lips curved into the softest smile.
That kind of smile that only comes when someone makes the silence feel less... alone.
"Always truth."
"Okay, Mr. Mystery...
What's your biggest fear ?"
He didn't reply for a moment.
Then slowly typed...
"Being forgotten by someone I can't forget."
' seen '
No ' typing...'
A pause — like the sky holding its breath.
"…Damn.
That actually hurt.
Okay fine, my turn — dare me."
"I dare you to tell me where you live."
"Haha stalker . But okay — Kurzawa."
He sat up.
His spine froze.
"Wait. You're serious ?"
"Yeah? Why?
"I LIVE in Kurzawa too wait, Which school...?"
"Kurzawa High."
Everything...
stopped.
His fingers trembled.
His heartbeat wasn't beating — it was screaming.
"Don't... don't tell anyone about me.
Please."
"Why not...? Wait, what ? You okay, Ren ? "
"That school knows a version of me I hate.
A version that used people. That lied.
I don't want you to know that version."
"Ren... I don't care about your past.
I care about who I'm texting right now."
"Just pretend we never met.
This was all... just an accident."
"Wow...
I'm used to people leaving.
But I really thought you were different."
"Take care, Serin."
He stared at the screen.
Her words cut deeper than any blade.
He placed the phone on the nightstand, rolled into his blanket, and pulled it over his head like a shield against the world.
No tears.
Just ache.
The kind that stabs quietly.
"You had someone… and you let them go."
Ren panicked all of a sudden, as he heard the name Kurzawa-high.
He didn't wanted anyone to know about his past,
Well atleast not Serin.
Morning.
His reflection in the mirror looked like a ghost draped in a school uniform.
Familiar face.
Familiar eyes.
But no light behind them.
"Ren ! Hurry up or you'll miss the bus !"
His mom's voice came from the kitchen.
He didn't respond.
He just grabbed his bag like it weighed a hundred regrets.
At School,
The world moved in color.
But Ren only saw grey.
Laughter floated past him like a language he forgot how to speak.
Classmates smiled.
Teachers taught.
Life went on.
But he?
He sat at his desk, head down, pen idle.
His hand shook — not from nerves, but from something deeper.
Emptiness.
The kind that echoed.
A friend nudged him.
"Yo, you look like someone just dumped you."
Ren Forced a half-smile.
He chuckled.
But Ren's smile didn't reach his eyes.
It was a mask.
And masks are heavy when you wear them alone.
He looked at the empty seat by the window.
No one had ever sat there.
But today?
He wished it was her.
As if somehow… she belonged there.
Lunch Break.
Couples giggled.
Hands intertwined.
People planning weekends that didn't include heartbreak.
Ren sat on the rooftop alone.
The sky stretched above him — a perfect blue.
But it didn't feel real.
He pulled out his phone, unlocked it.
No messages.
No light.
" God, I wish she could text me back even if I'm the one who snapped like a baby "
He whispered to the silence.
Just the silence.
The kind that used to feel peaceful…
Now it just felt like she stopped talking.
The bell rang like a funeral chime.
The sun was melting into the horizon, painting everything gold and orange — except Ren.
He felt… untouched.
Colorless.
He passed the gates, head down.
Someone brushed past him.
A girl laughed behind him.
And just for a second — the laugh almost sounded like Serin's.
He froze.
Turned around.
But it wasn't her.
Of course it wasn't.
Home sweet Home.
"Ren, I made your favorite! Meatballs tonight !"
His mom called from the kitchen.
"Thanks, Mom… You're the best."
His voice was flat and hollow.
Like he was stabbed.
He climbed the stairs.
Opened his door.
Closed it behind him.
And let the quiet consume him.
He sat on the edge of the bed.
Opened his laptop.
Snapchat.
9+ unread messages.
From her.
From Serin !!
" WHAT THE ?"
His heart dropped into his stomach.
He blinked.
Rubbed his eyes.
It was real.
He clicked.
"I don't want to forget you, Ren."
"I don't care about your past."
"I liked the person I met through a mistake."
"I know people leave. But maybe I'll stay…"
"Unless you still want me to disappear."
"I'll respect that."
"Just wanted to say… you made me smile when I forgot how to."
"Goodnight, idiot."
"Text me if your heart ever feels brave again."
"Hey…"
"I'm sorry. I should've held my horses."
"I kinda asked about you today."
"Don't freak out. I'm cool with it."
"I heard about your past. I'm not here to judge, bruh."
"We good?"
"Helloooo?"
"Ren?"
"I'm sorry, really."
"Hope you won't hate me."
He stared.
He wasn't breathing.
And for the first time in days,
he whispered her name…
"Serin."
Like a prayer he was too afraid to send out loud.
Like a word he wasn't ready to let go.