" How are you doing?"
That made the boy snap his head back to her, and he studied her face carefully. Her expressions were always the same, but this time, there was a softness to them. Was she worried about him?
The question, though, was sudden. How was he doing? He hadn't had a moment to think about himself ever since his cousin died. He had a lot taking up space in his mind.
Rubbing his head, he offered the girl an awkward smile. " I'm not sure myself… I think I'm a mess…"
The girl said nothing, only staring at him, giving him all the time and space to spill out whatever he was grappling with if he so wanted.
The boy's smile faded away as he returned his gaze to the ground and clenched his hands tightly. " It was supposed to be me…"
That statement elicited a reaction from Zarqa as it took her by surprise.
