My Romance Life System
Chapter 91: Not Going Back

Chapter 91: Not Going Back

That night, Thea was in a bed that was not hers, in a room that was not her room.

’This is that boy’s apartment, Kofi’s apartment.’

The thought was a strange one. Just a few hours ago she was in the hospital, and before that, she was on the floor in that other house. Now, she was here.

Kofi was the one who had walked her home. He was the one who found her.

’He must have seen everything.’

The trash, the smell, the empty pill packet. A feeling of shame filled her. He had seen the worst part of her, the pathetic state of her life and the pathetic way she tried to end it. However, he did not run away. He had called for help, and he had come to the hospital. He offered her a place to stay.

’Why?’

It was a question she could not answer. ’Because no one else does,’ he had said, but that was not a real reason. Normal people do not behave in such a way.

She remembered the stir-fry he had made for dinner. He sat on the couch with her while she ate, and on the television, a cartoon about ninjas was playing. He did not ask her any questions, nor did he look at her with pity. He just sat there. It had been the most normal thirty minutes she had experienced in a long time.

A boy she barely knew was showing her more care than any adult. It was a strange and uncomfortable feeling.

She pulled the oversized black t-shirt he gave her closer. It smelled of his soap, a scent of sandalwood.

’He is a strange person.’

Thea turned on her side, facing the wall. A small smile formed on her face, and she did not realize it. The bed was comfortable and the room was quiet. She felt safe, and fell asleep without realising.

---

Thea woke up, and for a moment, she did not know where she was. The room was unfamiliar, the ceiling was a plain, clean white. Sunlight was filtering through the blinds on the window. She sat up, the blue comforter pooling in her lap.

’This is his apartment.’

The memories from yesterday returned. The hospital, the doctor’s grim face, and then Kofi, offering her a place to stay. It felt like a dream, a strange and impossible one, but the soft bed beneath her was real.

A pang of hunger made her stomach ache. She swung her legs out of bed. The oversized black t-shirt she wore fell to her mid-thighs.

’I should see if he is out there.’

The thought was a terrifying one. She crept to the bedroom door, her movements slow and silent. She turned the knob with careful precision and pulled the door open just a crack, peeking into the hallway. It was empty. A wave of relief washed over her.

She opened the door a little wider, and at that exact moment, a door at the other end of the hall opened. Kofi stepped out. He was wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts, his hair still messy from sleep. He had not seen her.

Panic seized her. Without thinking, she slammed her door shut, the sound echoing. Her back was pressed against the wood, her heart pounding in her chest.

’He saw me. He definitely saw me. I’m so stupid.’

Kofi heard the door slam shut. He looked over at the guest room door, and a small smirk touched his lips.

’She’s like a scared cat.’

He understood, of course. This was a bizarre situation for both of them. He could not just leave her hiding in her room all day. He walked down the hallway, his steps quiet, and stopped in front of her door.

He knocked gently.

"Good morning, Thea."

There was no response from inside.

"Did you sleep okay?"

A long silence followed, then a small, muffled voice came from the other side of the door.

"...Yes."

"I was going to make some breakfast," he said, keeping his voice even. "Are you hungry?"

Another silence. She was probably trying to decide if it was safe to answer.

"It’s just scrambled eggs. I promise they’re not poisonous."

He thought he heard a faint sound from inside, something that might have been a stifled laugh.

"I’ll just make them," he said, deciding to give her some space. "You can come out when you’re ready. The bathroom in your room has a new toothbrush for you, in the package."

He turned and walked to the kitchen. This was going to be a slow process. He would need to be patient.

In the kitchen, he took out the eggs and the new frying pan. He felt a strange sense of domesticity. A week ago, his breakfast would have been instant noodles. Now he was cooking for two.

He cracked the eggs into a bowl, whisking them with a fork. He remembered what Nina had told him. Low heat. He turned the stove on, the flame a small blue circle, and added a pat of butter to the pan.

He was so focused on not burning the eggs that he did not hear the quiet click of the guest room door opening.

Thea stood in the hallway, wrapped in his oversized clothes. She watched him for a moment, her expression a mix of caution and curiosity. She looked at the clean kitchen, the way the sunlight hit the counter. It was all so... normal.

It was terrifying.

She took a hesitant step forward, then another.

Kofi heard the small shuffle of her feet and turned. He saw her standing there, looking small and lost. He offered her a small, reassuring smile.

"Hey. They’re almost ready."

He gestured with his head toward the small dining table. "You can sit while I finish up."

Thea looked at the table, then back at him. She gave a tiny nod and walked over to the table, pulling out a chair and sitting down. She kept her hands folded in her lap, her back straight, as if she were a guest in a stranger’s house, which, of course, she was.

He finished the eggs, sliding them onto two plates. He brought them to the table, setting one in front of her. He sat down opposite her.

They ate in silence. Thea took small, careful bites, her eyes fixed on her plate.

’These are good. They’re not burned.’

Kofi watched her out of the corner of his eye. She ate everything. She did not leave a single crumb. When she was done, she put her fork down neatly on the empty plate.

"Thank you for the meal," she said, her voice quiet.

"You’re welcome."

The silence returned, stretching between them. It was not comfortable, but it was not hostile, either.

"So," he started, breaking the silence. "We need to get you some clothes. And school supplies. You can’t go back to school in your old uniform."

Thea flinched at the mention of school. Her gaze dropped to her lap.

"I... I’m not going back there."