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Chapter 8: Between Lines
The conversation should have ended there.
It usually did.
Short replies.
Simple exchanges.
Nothing that lingered.
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But this time—
it didn't.
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I stared at the last message on my screen.
> Maybe you're just suspicious.
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A small smile tugged at my lips.
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Maybe I am.
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I rolled onto my side, holding my phone above me, the dim light reflecting in my eyes.
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Auren:
Or maybe you're just bad at lying.
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There was a pause.
Longer than before.
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I frowned slightly.
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Did I go too far?
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Just as I was about to lock my phone—
it buzzed.
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Unknown:
I don't lie.
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The reply was simple.
But something about it—
felt… heavy.
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I stared at the words longer than I should have.
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Not "I'm not lying."
"I don't lie."
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"…that's different."
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I sat up slowly, leaning back against the wall now.
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Auren:
That sounds like something a liar would say.
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This time—
the reply came almost instantly.
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Unknown:
And that sounds like something someone curious would say.
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I blinked.
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…okay.
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That was new.
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I let out a small breath, resting my chin on my knee.
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Auren:
I am curious.
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A pause.
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Then—
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Unknown:
About what?
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I hesitated.
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A lot of answers came to mind.
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About your job.
About why you're always busy.
About why you sound like you're hiding half your life.
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But I typed something else.
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Auren:
About you.
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The message sent before I could rethink it.
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"…great."
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I ran a hand through my hair, already regretting it.
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That sounded weird.
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A few seconds passed.
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Then—
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Unknown:
That's dangerous.
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I froze.
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"…what?"
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I read it again.
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That's dangerous.
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Not a joke.
Not teasing.
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Just—
flat.
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For a moment, I didn't reply.
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Something about him—
always felt a step away from normal.
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Like there was a line.
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And I didn't know where it was.
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Still—
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I typed.
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Auren:
What is? Being curious?
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This time, the pause was longer.
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Much longer.
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I almost thought he wouldn't reply.
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But then—
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Unknown:
Being curious about the wrong person.
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My fingers stilled.
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…wrong person?
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A strange feeling settled in my chest.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
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Something sharper.
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Interest.
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I leaned back again, staring at the ceiling.
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Then don't sound interesting.
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A small laugh escaped me.
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Auren:
Then maybe you shouldn't sound so interesting.
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This time—
there was no delay.
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Unknown:
I don't try to be.
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I smirked slightly.
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Auren:
You're failing then.
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A pause.
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Then—
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Unknown:
You're persistent.
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I tilted my head.
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Am I?
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Maybe.
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But it didn't feel forced.
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It felt…
natural.
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Auren:
Only when I'm not bored.
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A few seconds passed.
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Unknown:
And you're not bored right now?
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I glanced at the chat.
Then at the empty room around me.
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"…no."
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Auren:
Not anymore.
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Silence followed.
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But this time—
it wasn't awkward.
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It lingered.
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Like both of us were still there—
just not speaking.
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After a moment, another message appeared.
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Unknown:
What are you doing right now?
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I blinked.
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That's new.
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A slow smile spread across my face.
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Auren:
Lying on my bed.
Talking to a suspicious person.
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The reply came almost immediately.
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Unknown:
Careful.
You might get used to it.
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I stared at the message—
and for the first time—
something about it felt less like a warning…
and more like a promise.
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Outside, the night deepened.
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And somewhere far away—
in a place Auren couldn't see—
a man stood by a large window, phone in hand, eyes dark and unreadable.
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He reread the last message.
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"Not anymore."
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For a moment—
something almost softened in his expression.
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Then it disappeared.
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"Interesting…"
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And just like that—
the distance between them didn't feel so far anymore.
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To be continued… 🌙
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