Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Because Jared had fallen asleep on her bed.

From the moment Agnes had seen Jared earlier that evening, she could tell.

He looked utterly exhausted. His eyes were red, as if he hadn't slept well in ages. And now, here he was, sprawled on her bed, still in his clothes, curled up slightly, without a blanket.

Even his shoes were still on, dangling off the edge of the bed.

He lay there like a child, on his side, hugging himself tight.

Agnes remembered reading somewhere that people who sleep in such a position often feel insecure deep down.

A pang of unexplained empathy struck her.

She tiptoed into the room, careful not to make a sound, and stopped beside Jared. She silently watched Jared lying on the bed, and for a moment, she couldn't bear to wake him. Jared seemed to be in a deep sleep. Even his breathing was more labored than usual.

His eyes were shut, his thick lashes fluttering slightly, like tiny fans.

His face was still handsome, despite the clear signs of weariness.

Agnes stood by the bed for a long time. The room was so quiet that it seemed time itself was whispering as it passed by.

In the end, Agnes couldn't bring herself to disturb him. She gently knelt down, carefully removed Jared's shoes, and then softly pulled a blanket over him.

After that, she turned and left the room, turning off the light and closing the door quietly behind her.

The moment the door clicked shut, in the darkness, a pair of deep eyes slowly opened.

Jared remained still, just his eyes moving.

He had indeed fallen asleep. He hadn't expected that, after so many sleepless nights, Agnes' bed would grant him such easy repose. Why had he come today?

The insomnia had been unbearable. So, he had found himself an excuse.

That phone, in truth, had been in his hands for over a fortnight.

He had pored over its contents countless times.

He hadn't anticipated that Agnes still kept so many photos of them, her contact name for him still reading "Honey".

Seeing that label was a sharp sting to his heart.

Had she not had the chance to change it, or did a part of her still cling to what they had?

Jared wasn't sure.

But not seeing her for days felt like an eternity. Yet, he couldn't find a solid excuse to reach out.

So he had taken the phone and come straight over.

He had waited outside the Pritchard Mansion for two whole hours.

Just as he thought Agnes might not return that day, the pair strolled back leisurely.

They seemed every bit the infatuated couple, walking in the glow of the streetlights, chatting and laughing together.

It had been a long time since Jared had seen Agnes with such a peaceful, warm smile.

Around him, she was always cold, bristling like a hedgehog with its spines raised.

But with Ryder, she was different. That final hug had made Jared's heart bleed.

For a fleeting moment, he wanted to rush in, tear them apart, or land a punch on Ryder.

But he hadn't done any of that.

And now, here he was, in the silence of her room, where his presence seemed like a secret confession of his lingering love.