Chapter 7: Quiet Days, Unquiet Thoughts
After being selected among the top 500 students, we were supposed to prepare for the next phase—entering the academy for further studies.
But for now—
there was nothing to do.
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A two-month break.
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I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, one arm resting under my head.
It should've felt like freedom.
No pressure.
No expectations.
No one watching.
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And yet—
it felt… strange.
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Too quiet.
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My phone rested beside me.
I glanced at it once.
Then again.
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Should I text him…?
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A few seconds passed.
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"…whatever."
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I picked it up and typed.
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Auren:
Hi.
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I didn't expect an immediate reply.
But a few minutes later—
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Unknown:
Hello.
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I sat up slightly, leaning against the headboard.
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Auren:
What are you up to?
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The reply came quickly.
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Unknown:
Work.
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I stared at the screen.
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Of course.
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Auren:
Are you always working? Doesn't it get tiring?
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There was a short pause this time.
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Unknown:
I wouldn't say it's tiring.
But most of the time, I'm busy.
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I hummed softly.
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That sounds… exhausting.
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I hesitated for a moment before typing again.
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Auren:
Are you free right now?
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A pause.
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Then—
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Unknown:
For now.
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I shifted slightly, getting more comfortable.
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Auren:
I just finished a major exam.
Got selected for the next stage.
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I paused.
Then added—
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Two months break now.
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I stared at the message for a second before sending it.
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Why did I even say that?
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The reply came after a moment.
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Unknown:
That sounds like a big step.
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I let out a small breath.
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Auren:
It is, I guess.
Everyone's been working toward it.
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My fingers hovered over the screen for a second—
then I added—
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Feels weird now that it's over.
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The typing indicator appeared.
Stopped.
Then appeared again.
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Unknown:
You don't like the break?
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I thought about it.
The silence.
The lack of tension.
The emptiness.
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Auren:
Not used to it.
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A short pause.
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Unknown:
You will be.
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I didn't reply to that.
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Instead, I changed the topic.
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Auren:
So are you in your office right now? Or do you work outside too?
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This time, the reply came a bit slower.
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Unknown:
Both.
Depends on the situation.
Right now, I'm in my office.
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I raised an eyebrow slightly.
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Office, huh…
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Auren:
Won't your boss get mad if they see you chatting?
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A few seconds passed.
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Then—
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Unknown:
I don't need to worry about that.
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I blinked.
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Confident.
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Or—
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something else.
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A small smile appeared on my lips.
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Auren:
So… are you a generous boss or not?
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The reply came almost immediately this time.
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Unknown:
I'm quite generous.
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I let out a quiet laugh.
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Yeah… right.
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I typed without thinking too much—
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Auren:
Why do I feel like you're lying?
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The message sent.
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Silence followed.
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For a moment—
I wondered if I had gone too far.
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Then—
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The phone buzzed.
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Unknown:
Maybe you're just suspicious.
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I stared at the message.
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Then leaned back again, a faint smile still on my face.
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Or maybe you're just hiding something.
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Outside, the evening settled into silence.
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But this time—
it didn't feel as empty.
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Because somewhere—
on the other side of the screen—
someone was replying.
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And for now—
that was enough.
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To be continued… 🌙✨
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