Chapter 10: Walls and Silent Phones

The days that followed were painfully quiet.Noah's texts and calls piled up in Bora's phone, unread and unanswered."Bora, please let me explain.""I swear, it's not what it looks like.""I'm here whenever you're ready."But she couldn't bring herself to open any of them. Not yet.Every time her phone buzzed, her heart jumped — then slammed shut.

At school, at home, even in the hallways, Bora went out of her way to avoid Noah.She skipped group hangouts where he might show up.She left early from class.She even changed her usual route home.

One evening, Bonggu went back home after he just left— grabbing some books he'd left behind.But when he saw the way Bora jumped and immediately disappeared into her bedroom the moment Noah's voice echoed from the door, concern hit him like a cold wave."Bora, what's going on?" Bonggu asked softly after the door closed behind her.She didn't answer.Bonggu sighed, pacing the small living room.He knew Noah had been showing up at her place, trying to talk, but Bora wouldn't come out.He could tell she was scared.Scared of what Noah might say.Scared of what she might feel.

Later that night, Bonggu sent Noah a quick message:"I think Bora needs time, but she's not okay. Don't push her too hard. I'll keep an eye on her."Noah's reply was immediate:"Thanks, Bonggu. I just want to make things right."

Bora sat in her room, staring at the locked door.She knew Noah wanted to talk.She wanted to listen.But the fear of what she might hear — or worse, what she might say — held her back.Because sometimes, the hardest words were the ones waiting just beyond the door.