Invisible Threads

"Why Are You Avoiding Me?" (Aicy’s POV)

I had always been good at reading people.

It wasn’t a skill I practiced—it was just something that came naturally. I knew when someone was uncomfortable, when they were holding back, when they were pretending that nothing was wrong when something clearly was.

And right now, Yuri was doing exactly that.

Avoiding me.

Pretending to be busy.

Giving short answers, cutting conversations before they could even start.

I had tried to ignore it at first.

Tried to convince myself that maybe she was just tired, maybe school was overwhelming, maybe she just needed space.

But today, I was done pretending.

So when I stepped into the cafeteria and saw her sitting alone at our usual table, I didn’t give her a choice.

I dropped my tray onto the table, the sound firm, decisive.

She barely glanced up.

I sighed, crossing my arms as I sat down. "You’re avoiding me."

Yuri blinked at me, slow, cautious. "I’m not."

I scoffed. "Oh, right. You just suddenly got so busy every time I tried talking to you, huh?"

She sighed. "I’ve had things to do."

"Bull."

She narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You’re avoiding me," I repeated, firmer this time. "And don’t act like you don’t know what I mean."

For a moment, she was silent.

Then, she exhaled, looking away. Not denying it.

And that was enough of an answer.

I tapped my fingers against the table, watching her carefully, my usual teasing absent—because this wasn’t a joke.

"Is it because of Bea?" I finally asked.

Yuri stiffened.

I noticed.

I leaned in slightly. "It is, isn’t it?"

She remained silent, refusing to meet my gaze.

I waited.

And waited.

She gripped her fork tighter, her fingers curling around it like she needed something to hold onto. Her lips parted, almost like she was about to say something—but nothing came out.

Seconds stretched between us, and I saw it—the hesitation, the war between denial and admitting something she didn’t even fully understand.

And suddenly, something shifted.

This wasn’t just about her avoiding me.

This was about something more—something Yuri didn’t want to admit.