The boy who couldn't speak

Malvern Curtis stepped onto the school grounds, adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder. The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the courtyard, students bustling past him in small groups, chatting about yesterday's lessons or upcoming events. But none of that mattered to him.

His dark brown eyes instinctively scanned the crowd, searching for one person.

Leina Reinhardt.

It didn't take long to find her.

She was always easy to spot—not because she stood out, but because she didn't.

While other students lingered in groups, laughing, gossiping, and making plans, Leina moved with quiet purpose, uninterested in the noise around her.

Her dark hair framed her delicate features as she walked toward the school entrance, her bag slung neatly over one shoulder.

Alone.

As always.

Except—

Malvern's stomach twisted slightly.

She wasn't alone.

Walking beside her, grinning like he had all the time in the world, was Alexander.

Malvern frowned.

It wasn't like he had anything against Alexander. He was Lester Reinhardt's best friend, after all, and well-known for his sharp mind and ruthless attitude toward anyone who crossed him. But around Leina, Alexander was different.

He teased her.

He talked to her.

And, more importantly—Leina answered him.

Not in the way most people did. She didn't laugh easily, didn't engage in friendly banter like other girls might have. But she responded.

That was more than Malvern had ever gotten.

He clenched his jaw, watching the way Alexander leaned slightly toward her, saying something that made Leina exhale sharply—her version of an amused sigh.

A flash of jealousy crept into Malvern's chest before he could push it down.

He had no right to be jealous.

Not when he had never even spoken to her.

And that—that—was the worst part of all.

Malvern Curtis, one of the best debaters in the school, the boy who could stand in front of a crowd and confidently dismantle any argument thrown his way, who could counter and challenge with razor-sharp precision—

Couldn't even bring himself to say hello to Leina Reinhardt.

It was ridiculous.

No, it's pathetic.

This had been happening for years.

Since grade school.

Since the first time he had noticed her.

He still remembered it vividly—how she had been sitting on the playground, utterly absorbed in a book, while other kids played around her.

She hadn't even glanced up.

She hadn't cared about the noise, the chaos, the world outside those pages.

She had looked content.

And something about that had captivated him.

While other kids sought attention, she sought solitude.

While others craved praise, she craved knowledge.

And ever since that day, he had watched her from a distance.

Not in a weird way—at least, he hoped not.

But he had always noticed her.

The way she flipped her pages with deliberate care. The way her expression would subtly shift, her brow furrowing slightly when she was deep in thought. The way she would push her hair behind her ear absentmindedly when she was concentrating.

And now…

Now, she was right there.

Walking ahead of him, close enough that if he just picked up his pace, he could talk to her.

Say something.

Anything.

His fingers curled into fists.

He had to do it.

He had to stop being a coward.

He could talk to anyone else. He had no problem debating with older students, no hesitation when it came to public speaking. He was confident.

So why couldn't he—

Leina turned slightly toward Alexander, her expression as unreadable as ever.

He said something, and she gave the smallest nod.

Malvern's chest tightened.

What was Alexander even talking to her about?

What did he say to make her actually engage in conversation?

Would she respond like that if he spoke to her?

No.

Because he had never tried.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing his legs to move.

One step.

Then another.

And another.

His heart pounded.

She was getting closer—

And then—

"Malvern!"

He froze.

A classmate jogged up beside him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't forget we have a meeting after school."

Malvern exhaled sharply, his moment completely shattered.

"…Yeah. I won't forget."

His classmate grinned, launching into a conversation about debate strategies. Malvern barely listened, nodding at the right moments, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

Because up ahead, Leina and Alexander disappeared into the school building.

And once again—

He had missed his chance.