-Chapter 163-

                                    

                                          

 Claire's POV  
The crisp morning air was refreshing as I strolled down the cobblestone path toward Luvena's apartment. The sky was painted in hues of soft blue and gold, and the world seemed quiet, save for the occasional hum of a passing car or the cheerful chirping of birds. I had promised Luvena we'd spend the day together, and I was determined to pull her out of the cloud I'd noticed hanging over her lately.
She didn't say it, but I could feel it—her smiles didn't last as long, her laughter seemed just a bit forced, and her energy wasn't as vibrant as it had been when we first started hanging out. Luvena tried so hard to appear okay, but I knew she wasn't. 
I arrived at her door and knocked lightly, balancing a small bag of pastries I'd picked up from the café down the street. She opened the door after a few moments, dressed in an oversized hoodie and sweatpants. Her hair was slightly messy, and her eyes carried the weight of another restless night. 
"Good morning, sleepyhead," I teased, handing her the bag.
She smiled faintly, stepping aside to let me in. "Thanks for this. I wasn't really planning on breakfast," she admitted, closing the door behind me.
"Well, now you are. No skipping meals on my watch," I said, plopping myself down on the couch. "What's the plan for today?"
She hesitated, leaning against the kitchen counter and fiddling with the drawstring of her hoodie. "I don't know... I was thinking about editing some footage, maybe filming something later. Or just staying in and doing nothing. Nothing sounds good too."
I gave her a pointed look. "Absolutely not. We're going outside. Fresh air is non-negotiable."
"Claire..." she started, but I cut her off.
"No excuses. You need a break, Luvena. And I'm not taking no for an answer." 
She sighed but didn't argue further. After a few minutes of convincing, we left the apartment, walking aimlessly through the city streets. The day was sunny, but not too warm, and the steady rhythm of our footsteps on the pavement felt grounding. 
"I saw your latest video," I said after a while, hoping to steer the conversation toward something positive. "It's amazing how you can take such simple moments and make them feel so meaningful."
She glanced at me, her expression softening. "You really think so?"
"Of course," I said firmly. "You have a gift, Luvena. People connect with you because you're real. That's rare."
Her cheeks tinged pink, and she looked down at her feet. "Sometimes, I don't feel real. It's like... I'm just a version of myself that people want to see, and I don't know if the real me even exists anymore."
I stopped walking and turned to face her. "Hey, don't say that. You're the realest person I know. And the fact that you even worry about this stuff proves how genuine you are."
Her eyes shimmered, and for a moment, I thought she might cry. Instead, she took a deep breath and nodded. "Thanks, Claire. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Good thing you don't have to find out," I replied, looping my arm through hers and pulling her along. "Now, come on. Let's find something fun to do."
We ended up at a small park, sitting on a bench near the fountain and sharing the pastries I'd brought. As the afternoon wore on, her shoulders seemed to relax, and her laughter came a little easier. Watching her, I felt a surge of protectiveness. Luvena had been through so much, and while I couldn't erase her past, I could make sure she knew she wasn't alone anymore. 
She glanced at me suddenly, her eyes searching. "Why are you so nice to me?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of question is that?"
"I mean it," she said, her voice quieter now. "You could've just been another person who watched me spiral and left. But you stayed. You care. Why?"
"Because you matter," I said simply. "And everyone deserves someone who sees that, even when they can't see it themselves."
Her lip trembled slightly, but she managed a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Claire. For everything."
As we walked back to her apartment later, the sun dipping low in the sky, I felt hopeful. Maybe I couldn't fix everything for her, but I could be here. And for now, that was enough. 




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