He was always there — in the corner of the room, silent, distant, watching everything with an intensity that bordered on uncomfortable. Every time their eyes met, it felt like an invisible charge passed between them. And yet, when she tried to approach him, he’d retreat further into his own world.

It was frustrating.

Aria had never been the type to back down, but Riven was like a puzzle she couldn’t solve. He was more complex than any situation she’d encountered so far, and that complexity only drew her in deeper.

Today, they were in the middle of another grueling rehearsal. Leo was showing off some new dance moves, and the rest of the group was following his lead. Aria stood in the back of the room, watching and scribbling notes on her tablet.

Riven, of course, was in the front, his every movement sharp and precise. But his face? It was unreadable, his jaw clenched as he executed each step flawlessly.

Why does he always look so... annoyed? Aria thought, biting her lip. He’s perfect at everything. Why does he keep pushing himself so hard?

The music stopped abruptly, and everyone paused, wiping sweat from their brows. Leo turned to look at Aria, his smile as easy as ever.

"Aria, come on in! Join the fun!" he called, waving her over.

She smiled, shaking her head.

"I’m fine here. You guys go ahead."

But Riven, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke.

"You should get in the game, Aria," he said, his voice flat, but with a slight edge.

Aria blinked, taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

He didn’t look at her, his focus still on the floor as he adjusted his stance.

"You’re part of the team now. Don’t just watch from the sidelines."

Something about the way he said it rubbed her the wrong way.

"I’m not just here to perform, Riven," she said, her voice steady but firm. "I’m here to help you all succeed. My job isn’t to dance."

Riven finally turned to face her. His eyes were darker than usual, his gaze intense.

"Well, it’s not just about your job, is it? You’re starting to get too comfortable here."

Aria stared at him, her heart skipping a beat.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, though she wasn’t sure if she wanted the answer.

For a moment, Riven didn’t speak. His lips tightened, like he was holding something back. Then, with a final glance at her, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving the air thick with unspoken tension.

Leo, who had been watching the entire exchange, walked over to Aria with a confused expression.

"Don’t mind him," he said softly. "Riven’s got a lot on his plate. He’s always like this when he’s feeling... overwhelmed."

Aria bit her lip, staring after Riven’s retreating figure.

"I don’t know what his problem is," she muttered under her breath. "I’m just trying to do my job."

Leo placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.

"It’s not you, Aria. Trust me. He’s got his own demons to deal with."

Aria wasn’t so sure. Something in Riven’s eyes made her feel like she was more than just a bystander in this game.

But what was it? Why did it feel like he was fighting with himself every time she was around?

The rest of the practice was a blur. Aria’s mind was elsewhere, replaying Riven’s words over and over.

"Get too comfortable."

It stuck with her, gnawing at the back of her mind. And as she watched him disappear down the hallway again, a small but growing sense of unease settled in her chest.

Maybe Leo was right. Maybe Riven’s issues had nothing to do with her. But then again...

Maybe she was the reason he couldn’t keep his distance.