Shush

Mallory

I was trying to focus on Mr. Reilly's draining voice, but my mind kept drifting. I wasn't exactly excited about double English, and it didn't help that my pen kept tapping against the desk in a rhythm I couldn't quite shake.

Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, already expecting Kian, but when I saw him standing there, looking at me with that slightly uncertain expression, I couldn't help but sigh. He was always around lately, and for some reason, that bothered me more than it should.

"Hey," Kian said quietly, his voice low so only I could hear. "Can we talk?"

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this was going. "About what?" I asked, trying to sound less irritated than I felt.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again, glancing around to make sure Mr. Reilly was still busy with the board. "I don't know. Just... everything, I guess."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms slightly, trying to gauge him. "What exactly do you mean by 'everything'?"

His expression was serious now, but it looked like he was struggling to find the right words. "I guess... I just don't know where to start. I know you think I'm not trying to do anything different, but I really am. I'm trying to... make things better."

I sighed softly, my posture relaxing a little. I didn't want to shut him down completely, but there was a part of me that still felt uneasy about it. I knew what he'd been involved in—what his life had been like—and I didn't want to get caught in the mess.

"I'm not saying I don't believe you," I said after a pause, keeping my voice calm. "But you've been through a lot, and it's hard to just forget everything that's happened. You've made choices... and people remember those choices."

He nodded, a quiet acceptance in his eyes. "I get that. I'm not asking you to forget. I'm just trying to do better. I want to be different. I'm not asking for your help, Mallory. I just... wanted you to know that."

I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. The look on his face was sincere—too sincere to just brush off. But at the same time, I didn't know if I could trust it. I didn't know if I could trust him, or his words.

"I don't know if I can believe that yet," I said gently. "I can't just ignore everything that's happened."

Kian didn't look hurt by my words. He just stood there for a second, looking at me as if he understood. Then he gave a small shrug. "I know. But I'm not giving up. I'll show you."

I wasn't sure if I believed him, but something in his voice made me feel like maybe he wasn't just saying it to say it. I had no idea if he could change, if he really wanted to, but something about the way he said it made me think he just might try.

Before I could say anything more, the bell rang, cutting through the conversation. Kian gave me one last look and then turned away, heading back to his seat.

I watched him go, my chest feeling a little heavier than before. I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't know what he was really trying to do or if it would stick. But for the first time in a while, I felt like maybe there was more to him than I'd been willing to see.