Morning came too quietly.
The kind of quiet that makes you wonder if something has already changed… before you're ready to face it.
Soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, pale and distant, stretching across the room like nothing had happened.
I stared at the ceiling, unmoving. I'd been awake for a while—long enough for the silence to settle in, long enough to feel it pressing against my chest.
Last night hadn't faded. If anything, it felt heavier now.
I turned my head slightly.
Harley's side of the bed was empty. The sheets were smooth, neatly pulled back—untouched, like he had never been there at all.
And somehow… that hurt more than if he had stayed.
As I sat up in bed, a soft breeze curled through the morning air, brushing lightly against my face. It was enough to pull my attention, quiet but insistent.
I found myself turning toward it, my eyes settling in the direction it came from.
A weak smile grazed my lips when I spotted Harley leaning against the balcony railing, talking on the phone while taking a slow drag from his cigarette.
As I climbed out of bed, Harley ended his call and made his way into the room. We looked at each other, both of us holding blank expressions, a couple of feet between us.
I looked away and mumbled, "Morning."
"Morning."
I blinked a couple of times, my gaze drifting back to him before I could stop myself, trying to catch something—anything—in his expression. But there was nothing to hold onto.
Another gust of wind slipped into the room, brushing against our skin. For a brief second, I caught myself staring. Harley looked… unfairly good like this, like nothing had changed at all.
I cleared my throat. "Are you okay?"
Harley gave a small nod before walking past me toward the bathroom, not slowing down, not saying anything more.
I stayed where I was, my lips pressing into a thin line.
Right… this again.
I brushed the thought away and grabbed my outfit for the day from my luggage. As I made my way toward the bathroom, I bumped into Harley as he stepped out.
"S-Sorry," I said, rubbing my forehead.
When he didn't respond, I looked up at him. He met my eyes for a brief second, his expression unreadable, before walking past me without a word.
I tightened my grip on the clothes clutched against my stomach. "Harley… are you upset with me?"
He halted mid-step.
Silence filled the room, stretching longer than it should have. Long enough to make my chest tighten.
"No."
That was it.
I stood there for a second longer, staring at his back before mumbling something under my breath.
Then I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me a little harder than intended.
The walk to the café felt longer than it should have.
Not because of the distance, but because of the silence that stretched between us, lingering with every step we took.
The streets were already alive—people passing by, soft conversations blending with the distant hum of the city—but none of it seemed to reach us. It was like we were moving through it, not part of it.
I stole a glance at Harley as we walked side by side. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his gaze fixed ahead, his expression calm in a way that didn't feel natural.
Usually, he would have said something by now—pointed something out, made a comment, even teased me for zoning out. But today… nothing.
"It's a beautiful morning," I said, trying to make small talk.
"We're here," Harley said instead, stopping in front of Café des Rêves. He opened the door and motioned for me to enter. No comment. No reaction. Just that.
We settled into a table near the window, sunlight spilling across the surface between us. The same kind of setting we would have enjoyed before… now feeling strangely distant.
I reached for the menu, more out of habit than interest, my eyes scanning the words without really processing them.
"So…" I started, lowering the menu slightly as I looked at him, forcing a small smile. "What are we doing today?"
"Whatever you are in the mood for," he replied. His tone was even, neutral—like he was answering out of obligation rather than interest.
Before I could reply, a beautiful young waitress came to our table and began taking our orders, her attention lingering on Harley a little longer than necessary, her smile a little too bright.
"Je reviens avec vos commandes," she said before leaving.
Translation: I will be back with your orders.
"She's cute," I said. I wasn't even sure why I said it. Maybe to fill the silence. Maybe to get a reaction.
"I guess."
That was it.
I took a deep breath and then slowly let it out. "Harley, you have been acting strange since last night."
He leaned back in his chair, his right hand resting against the armrest, his fingers brushing along his chin as he studied me. Not curious. Not confused. Just… watching.
"What?"
He exhaled softly, like the question didn't surprise him. "Have you decided what you would like to do today?"
I placed my hand on the table, my fingers interlaced. "I would rather discuss this unnecessary tension between us."
The waitress came back with our orders. She placed Harley's coffee in front of him, smiling brightly at him before placing my coffee and pastry before me. Her gaze lingered again—like she was hoping for something more.
"Bonne dégustation," the waitress said before taking her leave.
We ate in comfortable silence as the hum of conversations filled the café. At least… it should have been comfortable. Instead, it felt like something was sitting between us—unspoken and heavy.
I looked out the window and saw a couple of teenagers pointing at Harley and giggling as they walked by.
"No matter where you go, women are sure to swoon," I said, looking at him. I tried to sound light, teasing… like before.
Harley took a slow sip of his coffee before setting the cup down. "And yet… it has no effect on you."
"…"
I blinked, caught off guard by the way he said it—not teasing, not amused. Just… matter-of-fact.
I looked down at my cup, tracing the rim with my finger. "That's not true."
Harley didn't respond right away.
When I finally looked up, his eyes were already on me. Steady. Searching.
"Then what is it?" he asked quietly.
My breath caught.
Because I didn't have an answer I was ready to give.
I looked away, shaking my head slightly. "You're changing the subject."
"And you're avoiding it."
His voice wasn't sharp.
But it still landed.
I tightened my grip on the cup, the warmth no longer comforting. "I'm not avoiding anything."
Harley leaned back again, his expression unreadable. "Then say it."
Silence fell between us.
This time, it wasn't just uncomfortable. It felt like something waiting.
I parted my lips slightly—but no words came out.
Because whatever I was about to say… felt like it would change everything.
So instead, I looked down and said nothing.
And just like that—
The moment passed.