Riven never knew silence could be so loud until the moment he stepped through the school gates with Eli by his side.
The sky was overcast, the kind of gray that mirrored his nerves. His fingers, locked gently with Eli's, were slightly trembling. Not from fear of holding hands—they'd done that last night while falling asleep. Not from shame. No, it was the waiting.
Waiting for the stares. The whispers. The judgment.
And it came.
First in glances. Then in murmurs. Some stopped walking. Others nudged their friends. Phones weren't pulled out this time—that storm had passed days ago. Now, it was just the aftermath. The curiosity. The disbelief. The tension that crawled over every tiled hallway like invisible vines.
Eli held his hand tighter. Not to protect him—Riven didn't need saving. But to remind him: I'm here.
They walked toward their lockers without a word, each step deliberate. Riven kept his eyes forward, refusing to flinch when someone muttered something under their breath.
"Freaks."
"He used to be so normal."
"I didn't think Riven was like that."
He heard it all. But it didn't break him. Because Eli didn't let go.
---
Eli's POV
He expected the backlash. What he hadn't expected was the small things—tiny moments of resistance against the hate.
A girl in the art club gave him a nod of quiet solidarity. A junior he'd once helped with math offered a soft smile. Even Mr. Han, their literature teacher, paused as they passed by and said, "Good morning, you two," like it was the most normal thing in the world.
It wasn't a parade. But it was enough.
Enough to push through.
Enough to keep walking.
---
Lunchtime
They sat under the acacia tree behind the gym—a spot far enough from everyone else, but open to the sky.
Riven unwrapped his sandwich with more force than necessary.
Eli raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Riven said, chewing aggressively. "Totally fine. Loving being treated like a sideshow."
Eli chuckled. "Your sarcasm is back. That's how I know you're actually not fine."
Riven rolled his eyes, but a smile threatened to crack through.
Eli leaned in, lowering his voice. "I know it sucks. But you're still here. We're still here. And that matters more than what they say."
For a moment, Riven stared at him. Then, like a balloon deflating, he sighed.
"I know. I just… I thought maybe it would be easier. After everything. After choosing this. Choosing you."
"It will be. One day. Not today. But someday soon."
They sat in silence, letting the wind speak for them. In the distance, a bell rang, but neither moved.
---
Later – Riven's POV
He didn't expect her.
After his last class, while collecting his things, a shadow appeared in the doorway.
"Riven."
He turned. It was Sora. His childhood friend—and one of the people who had disappeared the moment the rumors started.
She looked nervous, clutching a folder to her chest.
"Can we talk?"
He considered saying no. But something in her eyes stopped him.
They sat outside on the stairs.
"I owe you an apology," she said. "For ghosting you. For not standing up. For… being a coward."
Riven didn't speak.
She continued. "I was scared. Not of you. But of how everyone else would treat me if I stood by you. And that makes me weak. I get that. But I want to do better. If you'll let me."
Riven looked at her. There was no performance in her words. No pity. Just regret.
He nodded slowly. "I don't hate you. But it hurt."
"I know. And I'll prove to you I mean it. Just… give me time to earn that back."
He stood. "Okay. Time, then."
---
Evening – Eli's Bedroom
"You talked to Sora?" Eli asked, folding laundry.
"Yeah. It was weird. But good. I think."
Eli smiled. "See? The world hasn't ended."
"Yet."
They both laughed.
Riven sat on the edge of the bed, then looked up.
"You know what I realized today?"
"What?"
"That courage isn't always loud. Sometimes it's just… showing up. Holding hands. Saying 'good morning' when they expect you to break."
Eli crossed the room, leaned down, and kissed Riven's forehead.
"Then today, you were the bravest person I know."
And Riven, for once, believed it.
---