Chapter 9 — Part 2: Rooftop Honesty

Lina didn't move. Renzo didn't speak.

For a moment, the only sound between them was the wind brushing against the rooftop railings.

"I didn't know anyone else came up here," she said finally, her voice quiet.

Renzo shrugged. "I like the quiet."

She hesitated near the door. "Do you want me to leave?"

He looked at her then — really looked. His expression was unreadable, but something in his gaze softened.

"No. Stay," he said.

She crossed the space slowly and sat a few feet away, hugging her knees. Neither of the spoke. It wasn't awkward… just heavy.

"I heard some things today," she said, not looking at him. "About me."

He didn't ask what. Maybe he already knew.

"You get attention, people talk," he replied.

She let out a small laugh — dry, humorless. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"I know."

His answer was too fast. Too certain.

Lina turned to him. "Why do you act like you understand me?"

He didn't flinch. "Because I do."

There was a pause.

Then, quietly, he added, "People see what they want. Not what's real."

Lina's throat tightened. That… hit too close.

She pulled her cardigan tighter around her shoulders and looked out at the sky.

Renzo reached into his backpack and, without a word, pulled out a packet of strawberry milk — unopened. He set it on the ground between them.

She blinked. "You carry this around?"

"Sometimes," he said. "Don't read into it."

But she did.

Of course she did.

————

Renzo's Mini POV

He wasn't sure why he brought it today.

He wasn't even sure why he let her stay.

But when she sat down beside him — eyes tired, voice small — something inside him caved.

She didn't need saving.

She just needed someone to sit with her in the silence.

And somehow… that was harder to walk away from.