Chapter Six: Something Unspoken

The restaurant was busier than Eliana expected.

They found a table near the window, and Nate immediately pulled out a chair for her.

“Ladies first.”

Eliana smiled.

“Thank you.”

Ilyas sat across from them.

“You're behaving unusually well today.”

Nate looked at him.

“What does that mean?”

“You've been quiet for almost five minutes.”

Eliana laughed.

Nate shook his head.

“I can never win with you.”

“You've never tried.”

“Oh, I try every day.”

The waiter arrived, and they ordered.

For the next twenty minutes, conversation flowed easily.

They talked about university, their families, favorite movies, and the strangest things they'd ever eaten.

Then Nate's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

“I'll be right back.”

He stepped outside to answer it.

Eliana watched him through the window.

“Family?” Ilyas asked.

“Probably.”

Ilyas nodded.

She took a sip of her drink.

“So…”

“So?”

“You and Nate became friends really quickly.”

Ilyas smiled.

“He's difficult not to like.”

Eliana nodded.

“He is.”

Something about her answer made Ilyas look at her for a second longer.

“You like him.”

It wasn't a question.

Eliana nearly choked on her drink.

“What?”

“You said it like you really like him.”

“I like both of you.”

Ilyas looked down at the table.

“Right.”

Eliana frowned.

“Why did you say it like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like that bothered you.”

“It doesn't.”

Before she could respond, Nate returned.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Nothing,” Ilyas said.

Nate looked between them.

“That's suspicious.”

Eliana laughed.

“You're paranoid.”

“Probably.”

Their food arrived, and the conversation moved on.

But something had changed.

Neither Eliana nor Ilyas mentioned the conversation again.

After lunch, they walked through a nearby shopping district.

Eliana stopped at a clothing store.

“I'll be five minutes.”

Nate looked at her.

“You said that last time.”

“I really mean it this time.”

“That's what you said last time.”

Ilyas smiled.

“Let her go.”

Nate sighed dramatically.

“Fine.”

Eliana disappeared inside.

The two boys stood outside.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Nate glanced at Ilyas.

“You really think she likes me?”

Ilyas frowned.

“Why are you asking me?”

“Because you know her.”

“You've known her just as long.”

“Yeah, but you notice things.”

Ilyas looked away.

“Maybe.”

Nate studied him.

“Do you like her?”

The question hung between them.

Ilyas didn't answer immediately.

Then he said quietly,

“She matters to me.”

Nate nodded.

“She matters to me too.”

Neither of them noticed how different those answers sounded.

Eliana eventually came out carrying two shopping bags.

“I told you I'd be five minutes.”

Nate looked at the bags.

“That was not five minutes.”

“It felt like five minutes.”

Ilyas took one of the bags from her.

“You bought too much.”

“I bought what I needed.”

“You bought three things.”

“I needed three things.”

Nate reached for the other bag.

“I'll carry it.”

Ilyas had already taken it.

“I've got it.”

Nate looked at him.

“So do I.”

“I already have it.”

For a moment, they stared at each other.

Eliana looked between them.

“Guys…”

Neither moved.

Then Nate laughed.

“Fine.”

Ilyas continued walking.

Eliana followed him.

Nate walked beside her.

After a few minutes, Nate spoke.

“Are you always this stubborn?”

Ilyas glanced at him.

“Are you always this competitive?”

“Yes.”

“I noticed.”

Eliana smiled.

“You two are ridiculous.”

Neither answered.

That evening, the three of them sat on the rooftop of The Hawthorne.

The city stretched around them, lights flickering against the dark sky.

Eliana sat on the ground with her knees pulled toward her chest.

Nate sat beside her.

Ilyas leaned against the railing across from them.

For once, nobody was joking.

The quiet felt comfortable.

Eliana looked at the sky.

“I think I like it here.”

Nate smiled.

“Already?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

She looked at him.

“I don't know.”

Her eyes moved toward Ilyas.

“Maybe because I don't feel alone anymore.”

Neither boy said anything.

But both of them smiled.

Eliana didn't see the way Nate glanced toward Ilyas.

And she didn't see the way Ilyas looked back.

There was something unspoken between them.

Something neither understood.

Something neither was ready to name.

For now, it was easier to pretend that everything was simple.

Three neighbors.

Three friends.

One girl.

Two boys.

At least, that's what they believed.