things I should not say

Chapter 2: “Things I Shouldn’t Say”

The rain didn’t stop.

It never really did.

By the next morning, the sky had settled into that same pale grey, the kind that made everything feel quieter than it actually was.

Maria Edwards sat by the window again.

Same seat.

Same glass.

Same slow raindrops tracing invisible paths.

But today—

She wasn’t just watching.

She was waiting.

“…You’re doing it again,” her friend said, flipping a page lazily.

Maria didn’t turn.

“I know.”

“For what this time?”

Maria hesitated.

Then said softly—

“…For something to feel the same.”

Her friend frowned.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

Maria didn’t answer.

Because she wasn’t sure it did either.

The classroom door opened.

Students walked in.

Voices filled the room.

And then—

That quiet shift.

Maria felt it before she saw him.

She turned.

David.

Sitting behind her.

Exactly where he had been before.

Relief washed over her so quickly it almost startled her.

“…You came.”

The words slipped out.

Too honest.

Too quick.

David looked at her.

For a moment—

His expression softened.

“…Yeah,” he said quietly.

But something about him felt… different today.

Maria turned in her seat.

“You weren’t here yesterday.”

A pause.

David’s gaze dropped slightly.

“…I was.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I asked. No one—”

She stopped.

“…No one knew who you were.”

Silence.

David didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he looked at the window.

At the rain.

“…People don’t notice everything,” he said finally.

His voice was calm.

But softer than before.

Maria studied him for a second longer.

Something about that answer—

It felt like he wasn’t telling her everything.

But she didn’t push.

Because he was here.

And somehow—

That mattered more.

The lesson passed in a blur.

Words filled the room, but Maria didn’t hear them.

Her thoughts kept drifting.

Backwards.

To him.

To the way he spoke.

The way he paused before answering.

Like he was choosing his words carefully.

Like some things…

Shouldn’t be said.

At lunch, the rain fell heavier.

Faster now.

Louder.

Maria didn’t hesitate.

She went straight to the covered walkway.

And there he was.

Of course.

Standing at the railing.

Watching the rain fall into the empty courtyard.

“You’re predictable,” she said softly.

“You came anyway.”

She stepped beside him.

Closer than before.

This time—

Their shoulders almost touched.

Neither of them moved away.

The silence between them felt different today.

Not empty.

Not light.

Just…

Full.

Maria took a slow breath.

“…David.”

“…Yeah?”

She hesitated.

Her heart was beating faster now.

“I need to say something.”

He finally looked at her.

And for the first time—

There was something in his eyes.

Not confusion.

Not curiosity.

Something deeper.

Almost like—

He already knew.

Maria swallowed softly.

“…I think I like you.”

The words came out quieter than she expected.

But they were steady.

Real.

The rain seemed louder suddenly.

David didn’t speak.

He just looked at her.

And in that moment—

Maria felt it.

Not rejection.

Not surprise.

But hesitation.

Like he wanted to say something—

But couldn’t.

“…You shouldn’t,” he said finally.

Maria’s heart dropped slightly.

“…Why?”

He looked away.

Back at the rain.

“…Because it won’t end well.”

Her chest tightened.

“That’s not your decision,” she said softly.

A pause.

David’s hands tightened slightly against the railing.

“…Maria—”

He stopped.

His voice faltered.

Just slightly.

Like even saying her name felt heavy.

“…I do,” he said quietly.

Maria blinked.

“…You do what?”

He exhaled slowly.

Then looked at her again.

And this time—

There was no hesitation in his eyes.

“I like you too.”

The words were simple.

Soft.

But they felt heavier than anything else he had said.

Maria’s heart raced.

“…Then why—”

“Because,” he interrupted gently,

“…this isn’t normal.”

The air between them stilled.

“…What isn’t?”

David didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze softened again.

“…You,” he said quietly.

“…And me.”

Maria frowned.

“I don’t understand.”

He gave a small, almost sad smile.

“…I know.”

The rain kept falling.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

But something had changed.

The space between them felt smaller.

More fragile.

Like something beautiful—

That couldn’t last.

“…Do you regret it?” Maria asked suddenly.

David looked at her.

“…What?”

“Saying you like me.”

A pause.

Then—

He shook his head.

“…No.”

His voice was quiet.

But certain.

“…That’s the only thing I don’t regret.”

Maria didn’t know why—

But that made her chest ache.

Not in a bad way.

Just…

In a way that felt real.

The bell rang in the distance.

Neither of them moved immediately.

“…We should go,” Maria said softly.

“…Yeah.”

But still—

Neither of them moved.

For a moment longer—

They just stood there.

Side by side.

Watching the rain.

Like it was the only thing keeping the moment together.

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