Some conversations were easy—like discussing a book, debating an idea, or laughing over a shared joke.
But this? This was different.
This was the kind of conversation that could change everything.
Akutu found Nathan outside the science block, sitting on the same bench where they had once shared their deepest thoughts.
He looked up as she approached, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, Akutu took a deep breath and sat beside him. "Nathan, what's going on?"
Nathan looked away, exhaling sharply. "What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean." Her voice was gentle, but firm. "You've been distant. And don't tell me it's just school because we both know it's not."
Nathan ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "I didn't mean to shut you out, Akutu."
"But you did," she said, her voice quieter now. "And I don't understand why."
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Then, finally, Nathan spoke.
"Because I don't know how to handle this," he admitted. "Because I—" He stopped himself, shaking his head.
Akutu turned to him, her heart pounding. "Because you what?"
Nathan hesitated, then looked her in the eyes. "Because I care about you, Akutu. More than I should. And I don't know if you feel the same way."
Akutu felt something inside her shift, like a puzzle piece falling into place.
Because suddenly, everything made sense—the tension, the distance, the way her heart ached in his absence.
She had been so afraid of acknowledging it, but now, faced with Nathan's honesty, she could no longer deny it.
She felt the same way.
A long moment passed before she finally spoke.
"I don't know where this will lead," she said softly. "But I know I don't want to lose you."
Nathan let out a shaky breath, as if he had been holding it in for weeks. "Me neither."
They weren't sure what this meant for them yet.
But for now, the truth was out. The silence was broken.
And sometimes, that was enough.
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.