Hidden in the Light

Est's POV

The studio had never felt this quiet.

Not even when it was empty.

William was gone. The chair he'd been sitting in was still turned slightly toward me, like it was waiting for him to come back.

I hadn't moved in ten minutes. Just stood there, staring at the screen as it faded to black. My reflection looked back—blurry, small, unsure.

I didn't know how to fix what I broke.

Wasn't even sure I wanted to.

But I could feel the space he left behind—like a chord cut from a song.
And it rang louder than anything he'd said.

That was enough misery for one day.

I couldn't stand this place anymore.
A place that had always felt like my second home.

even the chair he sat in pissed me off. The computer that held his stupid photos felt like it was mocking me.

Still—he was Ciize's friend. Avoiding him completely would be stupid. Especially with her party already planned, the invites long sent—and his name on the list.

I couldn't just ignore him. That would only make it worse.

I'd have to act like everything was fine.
Like nothing had changed.

No one should've notice anything strange.

———

William's POV

I didn't slam the door.

I probably should've.

It would've felt right—loud, final, something to match the mess inside my chest.

But I didn't. I left quietly, like someone slipping out of a place they never truly belonged.

The spring air outside bit at my cheeks, but I barely felt it. I just kept walking.

I had no destination. Just forward.

It was stupid. I barely knew him.
The photographer. Cold when he felt like it. Distant by default.

But still, I kept replaying the look in his eyes before I left. Not anger. Not disgust. Just... fear.

And I hated the thought that I caused it.

Worse than that—I hated how he acted like there was nothing between us.

Because there was. I saw it. In the way he looked at me during the shoot. In the pause of his fingers at my collar. In how he completely froze when I touched him.

There was something.

I wasn't imagining it.

And now, it felt like I was the only one willing to admit it was real.

I found a bench near a quiet market and sat down, my hands buried in my jacket pockets, still thinking about his studio. About the way he'd said—

"You're here to see the photos, that's all."
Like I was making things up.

But I wasn't.

I knew what I felt. Maybe it was too intense. Maybe it was too early.

But it was real.

Est was... different.

Quiet in a way that made you lean in. Mysterious, but not fake. He was beautiful, yeah—but that wasn't it. It was deeper.
Something I couldn't shake, no matter how hard I tried.

And I knew it was going to drive me out of my mind.

Ciize's party was coming. I'd see him again.

And the worst part?

I was already looking forward to it.

Heyy🧞‍♂️
It was a short update, but the next chapter will be about Ciize's birthday party—and something more.💫

Thanks for reading🌠💙