Unseen Echoes

Chapter8 : Heartbeats in silence

That moment... time seemed to stand still. The kiss between Rose and Jack wasn't just physical contact; it felt like a collision of two souls. The entire world, the noise, and the people around them—everything faded away. But as soon as they pulled apart, an awkward silence settled between them. Both immediately avoided eye contact. Rose’s heart was pounding in her chest as if it wanted to break free. Her heartbeat was erratic, and her cheeks were as red as a tomato.

Thomas, sitting a short distance away, was watching everything. His fists were clenched, and his face showed clear signs of hatred and jealousy.

Lily, sitting right next to Rose, playfully bumped her shoulder against Rose’s and whispered, "Ahem, ahem! Miss Rose, what’s going on?"

Rose just lowered her gaze, a faint smile appearing on her lips. She felt that perhaps everything would be okay now. She had become closer to Jack than she had ever imagined possible.

At night, when everyone went to their respective tents, sleep was the last thing on Rose’s mind. She kept smiling, remembering that moment over and over. Every time Jack came near her, she could still feel that kiss. She touched her lips and remained lost in those thoughts.

The next morning, everyone was fishing by the lakeside. Rose’s eyes kept drifting toward Jack, but Jack? He was as still as a statue, acting completely normal as if nothing happened the previous night.

Frustrated, Rose said to Lily, "Lily, is... is a kiss so normal for him?"

Lily replied while casting her fishing line into the water, "What are you talking about? Just focus on fishing."

"Look there," Rose said, gesturing toward Jack sitting in the distance. "It doesn't seem to affect him at all. Was it all just a game of Truth and Dare?"

Lily took a deep breath. "It’s possible. It might just be a game to him."

Rose’s eyes welled up with tears. "It was my first kiss, Lily. And for him... it was just a game?" She watched Jack from afar, who was fishing so peacefully.

"Let it go, chill out. Why are you thinking about it so much? Just enjoy the trip," Lily advised.

"How can I not think about him when he is on my mind and in my heart every single second?"

Lily smiled. "So, you’ve finally admitted that you like him?"

Rose looked away. "I don't know..."

Lily nudged her. "Do one thing: go to him and ask him to teach you how to fish."

"What? Will he even do that?" Rose felt nervous.

"Just have some courage, girl!"

Rose stood up and walked toward Jack. But as soon as she got close to him, she remembered the kiss again. Oh s**t! She wanted to run away. But then she thought, 'If you love someone, why be afraid?'

"Hey Jack," Rose said, trying to be brave.

Jack didn't show much reaction, just lifted his head slightly and said, "Hmm, I'm good."

Jack... will you teach me how to fish?"

Jack showed her his fishing stick and then hooked an insect onto the bait. "Look, this is how you attach it."

Rose watched carefully. Jack then cast the line into the water. "Just drop it in and let it stay loose. When you feel the weight, that's when you pull."

Jack cast his line and pulled it back in one swift motion—a fish came out. "Here, you try."

When Rose touched the insect, she made a disgusted face. "Oh, this is such a gross insect!"

Jack heard her and a slight smile appeared on his lips, hidden away. Rose thought, 'Oh, he smiled at what I said!' She was happy inside. Then she cast the line into the water just like he did. Suddenly, the stick felt heavy—Rose couldn't pull it.

"Jack! It's become too heavy!" She was bending over completely.

Jack smiled, took the stick from her hands, and pulled it in one tug. A fairly large fish came out of the water. Rose’s eyes went wide. She started laughing with joy, "Wow! This is so big!"

Jack looked at her and gave her a genuine, slight smile for the first time. "Yeah."

In the afternoon, while everyone was eating fried fish, Rose watched Jack from afar.

"Lily, does he like me or not? What a confusing guy he is!"

Lily whispered, "Look, most guys don't like clingy girls who keep hovering around them."

Rose’s ears perked up. 'What? Am I really a clingy girl? Is that why he runs away from me?'

Yeah, it’s possible," Lily said jokingly.

Rose was shocked. "From now on, I will stay far away from him," she decided firmly in her heart.

The next morning, they had to go to the university to get their final exam roll number slips. Rose and Lily reached the campus. As soon as Rose turned after taking her slip, she bumped into someone.

It was Jack. Rose collided with his chest, and as soon as she looked up, Jack was staring right at her. He had that same old, calm yet deep expression. Rose’s heart started beating erratically once again.

When Rose bumped into Jack, she smelled his perfume. It was a scent she knew well, and for a second, she felt dizzy. She felt his body heat, and for a moment, she almost forgot her plan. But then, she remembered: Wait, I have to ignore him!

She remembered what Lily said—that boys do not like girls who always follow them around. Rose realized she was standing too close to him. She quickly stepped back and told herself, 'Rose, please calm down. Don't let him see that you are nervous.'

Rose did not say a word. She quickly held her roll number slip in front of her face to hide that she was blushing. She walked past him very fast. Her heart was beating very loudly, like a bird trying to escape. She walked away quickly and hoped that Jack did not see how she was feeling.

Harry, who was Jack’s friend, was standing right there. He looked very confused. He watched Rose walk away and then looked at Jack.

Dude, what is wrong with her?" Harry asked. "She looked like she was scared, and then she just ran away without saying anything."

Jack did not move. He kept looking at the place where Rose had just been standing. His face was calm, and he did not show any emotion. He put his hands in his pockets and watched Rose until she was gone.

"I don't know," Jack said quietly. His voice sounded calm, but his eyes looked a little bit thoughtful.