THE BREAK IN SILENCE

*Chapter seven*

After that night, nothing really happened. Matthew's silence settled over me like a thick fog—quiet, heavy, impossible to ignore. No texts, no calls, no explanations. Just... nothing. A deafening silence that stretched on longer than I thought was possible. I tried to slip back into my routine, to convince myself it was no big deal. Just Yh another date gone wrong, another promise unkept. 

But it stung. It wasn't just the ghosting—it was the way he didn't even try to explain. Like I didn't deserve that much. 

So I shoved the whole thing deep down, locked it away where it couldn't reach me. I told myself I was better off, that I was stronger than this. And slowly, I went back to normal. Or as normal as life could be when part of your heart was still holding on to something that wasn't there.

Days passed. The campus buzzed around me with its usual chaos—lectures, late-night talks, the constant hum of life moving forward. But Matthew didn't come back. No texts, no messages. 

And honestly, I stopped waiting. 

---

One morning, just when I thought I could finally breathe easy, my phone rang. 

It was Sarah. 

"Cat," she said, voice thick with sleep but sharp as ever. "You're not hiding in your room again, are you? Because, listen—this is an intervention." 

I yawned into the phone. "Intervention? What kind of intervention?" 

"The kind where you stop being a hermit and come out. You're way too beautiful to be wasting away indoors." 

I rolled over, pulling the blanket over my head. "The lifestyle of a hermit is sorely underrated I'm fine here, thank you very much. Besides, it's early." 

"Dear gods if you really think a hermit's life is anything but pathetic then this is worse than I thought. You need to get up. Now." 

"Sarah, I appreciate your concern, but I'm busy pretending I'm okay." 

"Pretending's exhausting. And besides, it's boring. I swear, if you don't come out soon, I'm sending the cavalry." 

I chuckled, my eyes still closed. "The cavalry?" 

"Yeah. Me and Eve. We're coming to drag you out of that sad little cave you've made for yourself." 

I sighed. "You're really persistent, huh?" 

"That's why you keep me."

I smiled despite myself. "I'm fine, really. I'm just…..recharging."

"Recharging or retreating?" She teased.

There was a pause, then Sarah softened. "Okay, okay, I get it. I won't bug you today. But tomorrow? Tomorrow we're going out. No excuses." 

I smiled to myself. Sarah always knew how to push just enough to make you come alive again. 

---

Hours later, the knock came. 

I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, when the sudden pounding at the door startled me. 

"Who is it?" I called, sitting up. 

No answer. 

Curious, I got up and opened the door. There, standing grinning like they'd just pulled off a heist, were Sarah and Eve. 

"Seriously?" I asked, surprised. "You two?" 

Sarah shrugged, her smile mischievous. "Did you really think you were the only one capable of being annoying?" 

Eve chimed in, folding her arms. "Team effort." 

I laughed despite myself. "Okay, what's the plan?" 

Sarah held up her phone like a trophy. "We're going out tonight. No questions asked." 

I frowned. "I don't know if I'm in the mood for this." 

"Mood schmood. You're not becoming a couch potato cat. I definitely won't allow it." 

Eve nodded in agreement. "Seriously, you need to get out more and we're here to remind you what fun is." 

Reluctantly, I agreed. 

---

I asked the question that was burning in my mind, trying to sound casual. 

"Can I at least know where we're going?"

Sarah gave me that look—the one that said *you're not getting out of this that easily*. 

"It's a little party. Just a small thing. A friend is hosting it. Nothing wild, just a social call. In and out." 

I frowned, not quite convinced, but something about their energy made it hard to refuse. 

"Alright, that sounds suspiciously vague but I'll bite." I said, picking up my phone.

"Keep your conspiracy theories to yourself. Just trust me." She said with a wink.

Somehow despite the nagging doubt, I felt a spark of something I hadn't felt in days — excitement.

---

The house was louder than I expected.

Music thumped through the walls like a heartbeat on the edge of panic, lights spilled out from the windows in a haze of gold and violet, and bodies moved in chaotic rhythm on the front porch. I stood at the entrance, arms folded, questioning every life choice that led to this moment.

"I thought you said this was a *small* party," I muttered, shooting a look at Sarah.

She didn't miss a beat. "It *is*. Just… socially enthusiastic, l mean compared to Coachella it's moderately small."

Eve laughed beside her. "Come on, Cat. You're already here. At least let your eyes have fun."

I rolled mine but followed them in. The air inside was heavier—music, perfume, alcohol, sweat, and something else I couldn't quite name. The kind of energy that promised trouble and barely hid it.

I clung to my cup like a lifeline. Orange soda. No alcohol. Not tonight.

Sarah disappeared into a crowd of familiar strangers, and Eve followed her like a shadow. I leaned against the wall, letting the bass sink into my skin, trying not to look like I was scanning the room.

I tried not to scroll through my phone for the fifth time. No notifications. Still nothing coming from Matthew.

The worst part wasn't that he hadn't texted.

It was how unsurprised I felt.

He was quiet now — like he'd never existed at all.

Then a voice behind me snapped me out of my spiral.

"I didn't know you attend frat parties. It's like I'm meeting a whole new person."

I turned—and there was Victor. Casual hoodie. Half unzipped. Plastic cup. Half a smirk. He seemed I don't know — relieved 

I almost choked on my drink. "What are *you* doing here?"

He raised a brow. "I *live* here. Technically. Or at least my sanity does, somewhere under the noise."

I blinked. "Wait—this is *your* place?"

He gestured vaguely around. "Not mine mine. But yeah, I know the guy throwing it. Plus, free snacks."

I shook my head, laughing despite myself.

Victor moved a little closer, lowering his voice. "Didn't think you'd show. After the date."

There it was.

I shrugged. "Yeah, well. I decided not to sit around waiting to be ghosted again."

He gave a soft "hmm" and took a sip from his drink. "You look good though. Like... good-good."

I raised an eyebrow. "Trying to distract me?"

"Is it working?"

I smiled but didn't answer. There was something in his eyes—watchful, like he wanted to say more but wasn't sure if now was the time.

Before I could ask, someone bumped into me, sloshing half their drink onto the floor. I stepped aside quickly, laughing it off. Victor steadied my elbow.

"Let's get some air. It's a bit much in here."

I nodded, following him out to the back where a string of fairy lights lit up the quiet garden. The music still pulsed, but the air felt easier out there.

We stood in silence for a moment.

Then he said quietly, "You deserve better than that, you know."

I didn't answer right away. "I know. But sometimes, it's hard to walk away from something that *felt* good—even if it wasn't real."

Victor looked at me then, really looked. "You're not crazy for wanting to believe in something. Just… be careful who you give that kind of belief to."

I looked away. "You sound like Sarah."

"She's right."

"Where is she anyways." He asked.

"Typically of her to kidnap me and disappear. Apparently staying indoors too long is a crime now."

Then he nudged me lightly. "But hey, at least you're out. You didn't let it break you."

"I mean, I *cried* into a cup of Milo for two days, but thanks."

He laughed. "Milo therapy is real. Underrated coping mechanism."

And just like that, the tension eased.

But still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something in Victor's eyes—something *else*—was going unsaid.

Why didn't you tell me before?" I asked quietly.

He didn't answer at first. Then: "Because I wanted it to come from him. But I'm starting to think he doesn't know how to be honest."

We stood there, caught in a moment too fragile to define.

Then Sarah reappeared, drink in hand. "There you are! I was about to send out a search party."

Victor stepped back a little, nodding at me. "I'll let you have your night."

And just like that, he was gone again.

Sarah nudged me with a suspicious look. "What was *that*?"

I shook my head, not ready to explain. "Nothing. Just… someone reminding me to stop giving the wrong people too much space in my head."

Sarah smiled. "Welcome back to the land of the living."

And for the first time in days, I smiled too.