The Fence Between Us

Episode 13: Last night

Morning light filtered through the thin fabric of the curtain, softly illuminating the small room that smelled of old wood and salt. The rhythmic sound of waves still echoed outside as I slowly opened my eyes. My head ached faintly, and my body felt heavy—like I had just woken up from a long, strange dream.

Everything around me seemed too calm… until memories crashed down like a tidal wave.

I shot up.

— “Oh no…”

I buried my face in my hands. My heart raced as flashes of last night returned with painful clarity: the small gathering, the red wine, the warm golden lights… and me—drunk enough to actually… flirt with Mathis.

I hadn’t just called his name in a voice soft enough to startle even myself. I had held onto his sleeve and said things like, “You brought me back and now you're leaving…?” and even, “I can’t sleep when I feel so alone.”

Me—Leyla. A volunteer teacher, twenty-six years old, who once thought she was composed and mature—had just bared her feelings completely in front of the man she had secretly loved for eight years.

— “Kill me now…”

I exhaled a long breath and gently knocked my forehead against the pillow, hoping I could somehow erase last night from existence. Grande had already left the room. She’d scribbled a cheerful note and stuck it to my desk: “I’m off to check on the kids—come help if you survive the hangover!”

Nope. I wasn’t going anywhere. Not because I was too tired… but because I couldn’t face him. I couldn’t face Mathis—not after everything that happened.

I rummaged through my bag, grabbed my face wash, and splashed cold water on myself, trying to clear my head. I had to pretend like nothing happened. Just a night of harmless fun. I was Leyla again—the composed, unbothered version of me.

I changed into fresh clothes, tied up my hair, took a deep breath, and finally stepped outside. The morning sea breeze was cool and crisp, and the sound of children playing near the school floated through the air.

But the moment I reached the small courtyard, I saw him—Mathis.

He stood leaning against one of the support beams by the water station, hands in his pockets, eyes gazing into the distance. As if… he was waiting for someone.

I immediately turned and walked in the opposite direction.

— Nope. Not like this. He can’t see me like this.

I quickened my pace, but hadn’t gone far when I heard a low voice call out behind me:

— “Are you avoiding me?”

I froze. A chill ran straight down my spine.

Slowly, I turned around. Mathis had stepped closer. He didn’t look angry, nor amused. His expression was calm—too calm—and that somehow made everything worse.

— “W-Why would you think that?” I stammered.

— “Because I called your name three times,” he said, tilting his head with a slight smirk. “And you walked away like you didn’t hear a thing.”

— “Oh… I was just… in a rush,” I mumbled, lowering my head to avoid his eyes.

Mathis crossed his arms, casually leaning against the post beside him.

— “Leyla.”

I looked up.

— “Last night…”

I swallowed hard. My posture straightened involuntarily.

— “…you surprised me.”

I forced a smile.

— “I’m sorry. It must’ve been the wine… I don’t really remember.”

— “Is that so?” he asked, leaning in just slightly. “Funny, I remember everything.”

I turned red.

— “Wh-What exactly do you remember?”

He didn’t answer right away. He studied me for a long moment, as if trying to confirm something.

Then he said slowly:

— “That Leyla isn’t always as strong as she seems. And that sometimes… she feels alone too.”

I was speechless. For a brief second, I felt like he could see right through me.

— “Mathis…” I mumbled, “Stop… don’t say that…”

But he smiled—not teasing, not distant. Just warm.

— “I’m not trying to embarrass you. Just messing with you a little.”

— “You—”

I stared at him, heart racing once more.

Mathis glanced at his watch.

— “I’ve got the morning shift. I’ll see you later.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in the sunlight, completely frozen.

I didn’t even know what I was more flustered about—

His words…

…or the fact that, for one fleeting moment, I’d wished I could reach out and grab his sleeve again—just like I did last night.

Author: hehe today I have met the requirements to sign a contract with Stary Writing, hope more readers will know about it!!