Unseen Echoes

Chapter5 :The Seat Next to Him

The classroom was quiet until the teacher walked in with a new student. His name was Thomas. He was handsome and radiated confidence. The teacher gestured for him to take the empty seat next to Rose.

Thomas sat down and turned to Rose with a charming smile. "Hi, I’m Thomas. I’m new here and I don’t know anyone yet. Would you like to be my friend?" he asked warmly.

Rose paused for a second. She knew Jack was sitting just a few desks away, watching everything. A part of her wanted to show Jack that she was desired by others, but her heart was already taken.

Rose replied firmly, "Look, Thomas. I’m sorry, but I’m not really interested in making new friends right now. I have my own reasons."

Thomas looked surprised; he clearly hadn't expected such a direct rejection. "Oh, alright. I understand," he said politely, though he still kept trying to talk to her, asking for notes and inviting her to the cafe after class.

Rose’s eyes kept darting toward Jack. She was desperate for him to feel jealous, or at least to look up from his book and acknowledge the situation. But Jack? He just glanced at them once, his expression unreadable, and went back to his work. There was no anger, no curiosity—nothing. He remained like a silent puzzle, completely calm and indifferent.

Rose felt a sinking sensation in her chest. Her attempt to grab his attention had failed again. To Jack, it seemed, her presence—or anyone else trying to win her over—didn't matter in the slightest.

The library was quiet, as usual. Jack was at his usual spot, busy with his laptop, and Rose was waiting for him. Suddenly, Thomas walked in and sat right next to Rose.

Thomas started flirting immediately. "You're so pretty! What kind of skincare do you use?"

Rose replied dryly, "I don't use any."

Thomas didn't take the hint. "So, which city do you live in?"

The whispers were getting louder. Jack tapped his fingers sharply on the table and held a finger to his lips—“Shh!”—as if to say, “Be quiet, people are studying.”

But Thomas wouldn't stop. He grabbed Rose’s hand and said, "Your hands are so soft," pulling her hand toward his face. Rose stared at him in shock, wondering what he was doing. She tried to pull her hand away, but Thomas held on tighter.

"Let go of my hand!" Rose said, feeling trapped and panicked. But Thomas just kept smiling.

Jack, who had been watching the entire scene, finally stood up. He walked over with a cold, firm expression. "What’s wrong with you?" Jack’s voice was icy. "When she says don't touch, then don't!"

Jack forcefully pulled Rose’s hand away from Thomas’s grip. "This shouldn't be happening in a library," he said coldly, then turned and walked out. Rose quickly packed her things and followed him out.

Later, Rose excitedly told Lily about it. "Lily, you won't believe what happened! Thomas was grabbing my hand and Jack saved me! He pulled my hand away and scolded him!"

Lily replied casually, "It’s just humanity, Rose. Simple."

Rose was stunned. "Humanity? Just that?"

Lily shrugged. "Yeah, humanity. If someone is forcing themselves on a girl, anyone watching wouldn't just sit there silently. Anyone would have done what Jack did."

Rose’s face fell. With a mix of frustration and disbelief, she muttered, "What the... f**k?"

Lily looked at Rose with a playful grin. "So, are you going on the trip too?"

Rose replied hesitantly, "I'll see..."

Lily winked, "Is this because of Jack?"

Rose immediately denied it, "No, Lily! It has nothing to do with Jack. I’m just saying."

Lily nodded knowingly, "Yeah, sure... I get it." She then turned to Will, "Will, are you going?"

Will said excitedly, "Of course! It's our final year, and then come the annuals. Who knows where everyone will be after that? I can't miss this trip."

Lily decided instantly, "Exactly! I’m going too. And Rose, you have to come, whether Jack goes or not. Come on, let’s go register our names!"

Rose’s heart skipped a beat. A mix of hope and anxiety washed over her. The three of them walked toward the registration desk. It was crowded, and as they got closer, Rose’s eyes widened.

Jack was standing there, waiting for his turn to write his name on the list.

Rose’s face lit up instantly. “Jack is going too!” she thought, and all her previous frustration and annoyance vanished in a heartbeat.

The next morning, everyone was gathered outside the bus for the trip. Rose looked incredibly cute in her chosen outfit, her excitement radiating through her smile. Jack was there too, standing with his friends, as silent and reserved as ever.

Suddenly, Will came running, shouting, "Let's go, let's go! The bus is about to leave."

Just then, Thomas appeared out of nowhere. He looked at Rose and asked with a smile, "Hi Rose! Can I join you guys?"

Rose’s heart sank. Seeing Thomas made her feel the same discomfort she had felt in the library. Lily and Will boarded the bus and sat together, while Rose went ahead and took a seat alone, hoping no one would sit next to her.

Just as Thomas was about to slide into the seat next to Rose, something unexpected happened. Jack, who was walking right behind him, placed a hand on Thomas’s shoulder and said in a low, firm voice, "Excuse me, Thomas."

Thomas turned around in surprise, but before he could say a word, Jack stepped past him and sat down in the seat right next to Rose.

Rose’s eyes went wide. Her heart was pounding so fast she feared Jack might hear it. Lily and Will, sitting behind them, were equally shocked—they couldn't believe that Jack, who had never even acknowledged Rose’s presence before, had now chosen to sit right beside her.

The bus started moving, but for Rose, time seemed to stand still. She was so close to Jack, yet he was still staring out the window, looking like a silent puzzle, completely lost in his own thoughts.