I sit up, rubbing my eyes, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. That's when I see her.
A young woman, standing near the doorway.
Her long brown hair falls just past her shoulders, slightly tousled as if she had a long day. Her eyes—deep, beautiful, and warm in a way I can't quite describe—hold a quiet sadness within them. Even in her silence, there's something about her that feels distant, like she's locked behind an invisible wall.
She's petite, but not fragile. There's strength in the way she carries herself, in the way she meets my gaze without hesitation. She looks like someone who doesn't let people in easily, someone who doesn't expect kindness from others.
"Yes, I just arrived today. I'm Ellie. And you are?" I ask, standing up.
Even though I know I can be intimidating when I'm silent—people often say my sharp eyes and thick eyebrows make me look too serious—I probably ruin that impression the moment I open my mouth.
"I see. Jamie mentioned someone new was moving in today. I'm Bella. Just make sure to keep the house clean."
And with that, she disappears into her room without another word.
I blink, taken aback by her cold demeanor.
"She's… really distant," I murmur to myself. "Kind of scary, even. But… she's beautiful."
Shaking off the thought, I get up and back to my room to start unpacking my belongings. My hands move mechanically, but my mind keeps drifting back to her. Bella—cold, unreadable, yet strangely captivating.
Once everything is in place, I decide to take a shower. After all, I had been sweating all day, and falling asleep under the AC without washing up wasn't exactly the best idea.
Grabbing my toiletries, I head toward the bathroom. As I pass Bella's room, I notice that her door is slightly open. I don't mean to intrude, but something catches my attention.
She's sitting on her bed, staring at her phone screen.
Tears silently stream down her face.
She's crying without making a sound, like she's used to holding it in, like she doesn't want anyone to know. The way her small frame tenses up, the way her fingers grip the blanket just a little too tightly, makes my chest tighten for reasons I can't explain.
Before I can even think of looking away, Bella suddenly lifts her head.
Her warm, sorrowful eyes meet mine.
For a moment, neither of us moves.
And just like that, the space between us feels different.
I freeze.
She's crying without making a sound, as if she's holding back a storm of emotions.
Just then, as if sensing my gaze, Bella lifts her head and looks straight at me.
Our eyes meet.
For a moment, neither of us moves.
Ellie finally realized that the situation was a bit awkward. "Does she think I'm being rude or spying on her?" Ellie thought to herself. She felt the need to explain herself.
"Sorry, your door was slightly open and I didn't mean to intrude," Ellie said carefully.