Chapter 172：Silence Sure is Deafening

They were now outside and they just finished eating their meal. Everyone was silent because of what happened last night. They also haven't seen Dannie and Kreiss since last night.

Shannara and Sheloah would sometimes catch each other looking but once their eyes met, they would avoid each other's gazes.

Geof and Tyler were lively as of the moment. Isobel was talking with them, too. As for Veon, he was no longer cold but he kept looking at Sheloah from time to time, making others wonder why.

Silence sure is deafening.

The awkward silence broke when Isobel spoke. "What's with Kreiss and Dannie? They haven't been around since last night," she said then Geof just shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe they're still talking with each other?"

The group was no longer silent. They started conversations that they found interesting.

Except for Sheloah and Shannara, though. Obviously, they still found it awkward to talk with each other.

Sheloah stood up, deciding to be alone. "I'll just be in the garden," she said then she went there alone.

People say that too much noise is deafening but to her… silence is more deafening.

The girl arrived in the garden and sat on the ground, feeling relieved that she's now free from the heavy atmosphere.

Sheloah wanted things to go back to normal. She didn't want things to be awkward with Shannara since she considers her as one of her great friends despite only knowing her for such a short time.

Sheloah closed her eyes as she hummed a song to herself.

"Hey."

That familiar voice caught her attention. It was Shannara.

Sheloah opened her eyes then she saw the girl in front of her.

"Can I sit beside you," she asked then Sheloah nodded, making some space for her.

'I already have someone beside me… but it's still quiet.'

"Sorry," Shannara said then Sheloah wondered why she suddenly apologized. "Honestly, I was jealous as to why Veon reacted that way when he saw Kreiss kiss you. I thought Veon liked you for a moment," Shannara said, embarrassed and this made things clearer for Sheloah.

"I see," the girl just said and this made Shannara bite her lower lip.

"I'm sorry for disclosing such information to the others, too. I should've kept quiet," Shannara said then Sheloah went quiet for a while before she spoke.

"Mm. Apology accepted then," Sheloah said then Shannara looked at her sincerely.

"It is… my fault," Shannara said then Sheloah smiled at her.

"Well, I didn't expect Kreiss to do that. And I didn't even notice that Veon was annoyed," Sheloah said then Shannara laughed.

"You have many admirers even at this situation," Shannara said then Sheloah just rolled her eyes at her.

"Whatever. It's just Kreiss anyway," she said then she laughed before she mumbled to herself. "I don't know for Veon's forehead kiss though."

Shannara still heard her anyway.

"Veon, what!?"

Sheloah looked at her, surprised. "Y-you heard that?"

Shannara scoffed. "Here I am apologizing to you and then I hear this?" She hit Sheloah's shoulder and laughed. "And you say Kreiss is your only admirer!"

Sheloah raised a brow at her, confused. "You're… not angry?"

Shannara rolled her eyes at her. "Why would I? I mean… I'm jealous, but Veon's still my friend. If it's what he wants, then so be it!"

"You said you aren't sure of his forehead kiss? Girl, what do you think? If he doesn't have feelings for you, why would he do that," Shannara said as if Sheloah said something stupid.

The girl shrugged. "Because he sees me as a sister, or as a friend?"

Shannara hit her head slightly. "Stupid. This ain't porn." When she said that, Sheloah laughed out loud.

"What the hell, Shannara?"

Both of them laughed out loud and teased each other until they both calmed down.

"I'm glad I knew this," Shannara said then Sheloah looked at her.

"Why?"

Shannara smiled then touched her chest. "It feels like a heavy block was lifted from my heart, y'know? It gave me a signal when to give up on him. Now I can finally let go with no hope hanging on. I can finally say I can focus on myself and on our survival."

Sheloah smiled at her then held her hand. "You're so strong…"

"I have to," she said then she winked at her. "Who knows? I may have a partner once we reach Australia. Aussie boys are quite sweet, they say."

The girls laughed again and the both of them felt happy that there was no longer a heavy air between them. They indeed find friendship one of the most important things in this world that's now in a critical situation.