ELLIOTT AREN — AMIDST THE SILENCE

CHAPTER 1: ANXIOUS

Elliott Aren was never the type of person who took up much space.

He was always there — leaning against a wall, sitting a little apart, observing more than participating. Not because he didn't want to be close, but because he learned early on that it was easier that way.

Places changed. People too.

Then Elliott began to pay attention to everything: the sounds, the conversations, the small details that no one else seemed to notice. It was almost automatic. While others spoke, he only listened.

Sometimes, without realizing it, he would bring the small star attached to the drawstring of his sweatshirt to his mouth. A simple habit, repeated so many times that he no longer even thought about it. It was just… something that kept him there, present.

Even in the midst of other people, Elliott seemed to exist at a different pace — calmer, quieter.

But that didn't mean he didn't feel.

It just meant that no one saw.

Days passed… and Elliott grew up.

Until the day of the move arrived.

He was nervous. Without realizing it, he brought the star from the drawstring of his sweatshirt to his mouth, nibbling on it while tapping his foot.

New city. New life.

On the first day, everything seemed strange. New school, new people… and he was only 6 years old.

The sweatshirt was too big for him. Even so, he hid in it.

At first, it didn't seem so bad.

Until the moment of introduction.

His voice faltered. He stuttered. Nervousness turned to anxiety.

The teacher noticed.

He called Elliott out of the room, trying to calm him down.

From that day on, art classes became a kind of comfort.

Years passed.

New schools. New fears.

But the silence remained the same.

Until the day he met two people.

H3x arrived first. Speaking.

As if they had been friends for a long time.

The other was there too. Quieter, but present.

Elliott didn't understand at first.

But, for the first time…

he didn't seem so alone.

CHAPTER 2: THE ATTACHMENT

Before that… there was a reason.

Elliott and his parents were moving.

A new beginning.

He was excited.

But, one night, he overheard his parents talking.

— How am I going to explain this to him…

— I'll explain when he's older.

He went into the room.

He saw his mother crying.

And he didn't understand.

Some time later, at the hospital…

he understood.

His mother was sick.

Very sick.

When she saw him, she called him affectionately.

— Darling… take this shirt. I made it for you.

Elliott put on the sweatshirt.

Too big. But warm.

Safe.

He looked at her.

One last time.

Until…

everything stopped.

He tried to wake her.

But she didn't respond.

Desperate, he held onto the sweatshirt.

The little star.

He brought it to his mouth.

He nibbled on it.

Crying.

That night, he didn't sleep.

Anxiety. Fear. Emptiness.

Until, biting the star…

he calmed down.

And, since then…

he never let go.

CHAPTER 3: TRUST

The days changed.

Slowly.

Almost imperceptibly.

Elliott was still quiet.

But now… he wasn't alone.

H3x spoke.

A lot.

The other balanced.

Elliott listened. But it began to stay.

By choice.

He sat closer.

Even without speaking.

Even without looking directly.

He stayed.

And that was already a lot.

CHAPTER 4: CONNECTION

The night was cold.

They walked together.

Not so close.

But not distant.

Elliott held the star.

But he didn't bite it.

He just held it.

They stopped.

— It's cold…

Silence.

Elliott hesitated.

He thought.

And, for the first time…

he moved closer.

Without saying anything.

Without looking.

But staying.

And nobody found it strange.

As if he had always belonged there.

A small smile appeared.

Almost invisible.

But real.

CHAPTER 5: THE STAR

— That's cute…

H3x held the star.

Elliott froze.

But he didn't pull back.

“…yes.”

It was one of the few times he answered.

When the star returned to his hand…

he didn't bite it.

He just held it.

As if, for the first time…

it wasn't his only protection.

CHAPTER 6: THE HUG

The court was full.

Too noisy.

Too many people.

Elliott was uncomfortable.

The star between his fingers.

His body tense.

H3x noticed.

And, without hesitation…

hugged him.

Gently.

Elliott froze.

But didn't pull away.

And accepted.

At that moment…

the world fell silent.

Only comfort remained.

Later…

he bit the star.

But not out of anxiety.

Out of memory.

PART 6 — ECHO

The feeling remained.

Even alone.

Even in the dark.

He remembered.

And, for the first time…

it was something good.

PART 6 — THE HUG

In H3x's house, everything was simple.

TV on.

Comfortable silence.

But Elliott felt something different.

He observed.

He felt awkward.

“Why am I like this?”

He didn't understand.

But he didn't want to leave.

H3x noticed.

And stayed.

No pressure.

Just… together.

PART 6 — BETWEEN THE SILENCE

The day was busier than usual.

Noise. Conversations. People coming and going.

Elliott was with both of them.

As always.

But something seemed… different.

H3x was talking to his other friend.

Laughing.

Closer than usual.

Natural.

Nothing special.

But Elliott noticed.

And that stayed with him.

Later, on the court…

the discomfort returned.

He left.

H3x followed.

— Elliott… what happened?

“…nothing.”

But it wasn’t true.

H3x didn’t insist.

He just stayed.

And, little by little…

Elliott calmed down.

When they returned…

H3x held him closer.

Without leaving space.

Without letting him get lost.

PART 6 — BETWEEN THOUGHTS

The night was silent.

But Elliott wasn’t at peace.

The thoughts returned.

Confused.

Different.

He held the star.

Tightly.

He almost brought it to his mouth.

But he stopped.

He thought.

“I don’t like this…”

“…or do I?”

He didn’t know.

But it didn’t seem bad.

Just new.

And, for the first time…

he didn’t run away.

He just felt.

And, in silence…

he accepted.