FRICTION AND FREQUENCY
631 Words
Chapter 8: Friction and Frequency
Seren Aveline Marquez's POV
I was starting to think the universe had a sick sense of humor. Or maybe it just enjoyed making me question every firm line I’d drawn in the sand.
I wasn’t supposed to notice Kael Navarro’s existence beyond the occasional eye roll. But now, even silence carried his name.
This morning, I found a book on my desk.
No note. No label. Just a book.
But I knew it was from him.
It was the same one I recommended. Except… it had sticky notes all over the pages. Little comments. Questions. The kind of things people do when they actually read. Actually care.
My fingers trembled a little flipping through it.
Why was he doing this?
Why was he making it harder to keep pretending I didn’t care?
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Kael Ronin Navarro’s POV
"She didn’t throw the book at your head?"
Theo sounded genuinely shocked. He was leaning against the bike shed wall while I fixed the chain on my bike.
"Nope."
"Did she read the notes?"
"She didn’t burn them, so that’s progress."
Theo snorted. "That girl is the human version of a firewall. You sure this is worth the trouble?"
I looked up, oil staining my fingers, a small grin tugging at my lips.
"You ever seen a storm choose someone to be gentle with?"
He raised a brow. "You think she’s a storm?"
"No," I replied, wiping my hands. "I think she’s the eye of it. And I think maybe I don’t want to run from storms anymore."
---
Seren’s POV
Lia and Ira were watching me like I’d grown a second head.
"You’re smiling," Lia said slowly.
"No, I’m not."
"You were. Just now. While reading."
I closed the book. "It’s a good story."
"Or it’s the red-flagged biker you were hating on last week."
"Still hating on," I corrected.
"With a smile," Ira added.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Can we not?"
"No," Lia said. "Because if we don’t intervene, you’re going to fall headfirst into a situationship with Mr. Motorcycle Diaries."
I glared at her. "I am not."
She leaned forward. "Then why are your cheeks red right now, ha?"
Ira smirked. "Kael got her glitching."
"I will leave this table."
"And I will follow you with receipts," Lia said, brandishing her phone.
I rolled my eyes. But the truth lingered.
I was glitching. And it scared me.
---
Kael’s POV
"She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t ignore me either," I told Reign that night.
We were at the skatepark. He was carving lines in the concrete while I sat on the bench, helmet at my side.
"That’s your benchmark now? ‘Didn’t ignore me’? Damn, bro."
"She’s not like the others."
"Obviously."
"She makes me feel like I need to earn her time."
Reign paused, board under his foot. "And you like that?"
I shrugged. "Maybe I’m tired of being the villain in everyone’s story."
Reign was quiet for a beat. Then he nodded. "Then stop acting like one."
I looked up at the stars. "I think she’s the first person who sees past it."
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Seren’s POV
The library again. My usual spot.
Except this time, I brought two drinks. Just in case.
I don’t know what possessed me. Or maybe I do.
Maybe I was tired of pretending I was unaffected.
He showed up ten minutes later. Looked surprised. Then… pleased.
"Truce still on?" he asked.
"I didn’t revoke it."
He sat. Took the drink. Didn’t say thanks, just gave me this look — like he knew how big this small gesture really was.
We didn’t talk much. Just read. But somehow, it wasn’t quiet. It was… full.
And for once, I didn’t feel alone.
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To be continued...
- Writer
