Invisible Strings

Chapter 6: The Weight of a Whisper

Isadora kept her stride easy, unhurried, deliberately slower than her usual pace. Every so often, she glanced over her shoulder, making sure Hannah was still with her. When she noticed Hannah's gaze dart toward groups of students gathered by the fountain, she shifted their path without a word, leading her down one of the quieter trails lined with maples.

The silence wasn't heavy... it was alive. Birds chattered somewhere above. A squirrel darted across the path. The wind tugged at Hannah's hair, loosening a few strands she didn't bother to fix.

Finally, when the voices of the courtyard had faded entirely, Isadora slowed to a stop near a tucked-away bench beneath a sprawling oak. "Here," she said simply, lowering herself onto the worn wood. She leaned back, stretching one arm along the top of the bench, her posture casual but inviting.

Hannah lingered at the edge of the path, shifting her weight uncertainly, before finally settling at the far end of the bench. She didn't vanish, though... just sat small, her knees drawn close, eyes fixed on the scatter of leaves at her feet.

For a while, neither spoke. The world filled in the quiet for them. The rustle of branches, the faint call of a crow overhead, the soft scrape of boots against gravel when Hannah nudged a stray leaf with her shoe.

Isadora tilted her head back, watching a patch of sky between the branches. "Funny thing about this spot," she said lightly, almost to herself. "Most people don't even know it's here. Too far from the main paths. Too quiet." She shifted her gaze back to Hannah, her tone softening. "But quiet can be good."

Hannah's lips curved, just barely, though her eyes stayed down. "I guess."

"I guess." Isadora said, mocking Hannah playfully, making Hannah smile softly.

Isadora smiled at that, letting the silence settle in again. She let her gaze wander lazily across the trees, the dapples of gold light cutting through the branches. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught Hannah.

The wind teased through her hair, lifting pale strands into the sunlight. They caught the light like spun glass, haloing around her face in a way that made Hannah look more otherworldly than even her vanishing ever did. She sat hunched and quiet, her sweater sleeves pulled down over her hands, and yet Isadora felt something tug sharply and unexpectedly in her chest.

She realized, with a start, that she'd been watching Hannah for longer than was appropriate. Watching the way her lashes lowered when she stared at the ground, the way her hair tangled across her cheek until she huffed softly, trying to blow it out of her eyes.

Isadora smiled faintly to herself. "Hold still a second."

Hannah blinked, startled, as Isadora reached into her jacket pocket. She pulled out a plain black hair tie and leaned forward, her movements careful, deliberate. Hannah stiffened at first, confusion flickering across her face, but she didn't vanish. She didn't move.

With gentle hands, Isadora swept Hannah's hair back, gathering the golden strands away from her face. Her fingers brushed against Hannah's temple, tucking the last piece behind her ear before looping the tie into place.

"There," Isadora murmured, her voice low, close. "Now you won't spend the whole walk fighting the wind."

Hannah blinked up at her, her honey eyes wide, her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she looked almost undone, as though she couldn't remember how to hide herself.

Isadora sat back a little slowly, her hand retreating, but her gaze lingered a second too long. "Better."

Hannah's cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She ducked her head, and though she didn't say anything, she didn't vanish either.

Isadora hadn't realized she was still leaning close until she caught the faint pink flush rising across Hannah's cheeks. The sight tugged at her in ways she refused to name. She swallowed, forcing her gaze down, then eased back to give her space. A flicker of a smile touched her lips before she smoothed it away, keeping her expression carefully neutral.

"Come on," she said gently, her voice steadier than she felt. "We should probably head back."

Hannah nodded quickly, her hands fidgeting in her lap before she pushed herself to her feet. They started down the path, the sound of their footsteps muffled against the carpet of leaves.

Isadora walked a pace ahead, like before, the air cool against her skin, her thoughts louder than she wanted them to be. She was halfway through rehearsing the right way to slip back into silence when she heard it.

"...Isadora?"

Her name, spoken softly... hesitant, like a secret Hannah wasn't sure she wanted to share.

Isadora slowed, glancing over her shoulder before turning to face her. But Hannah only stared at the ground, her lips pressed shut, as if Isadora's name had escaped before she could stop it.