The call ended with a dull click that echoed in the quiet of his room. John just sat there, staring at the empty laptop screen, the words still ringing in his head.
It's a warning.
He felt like he'd been punched in the gut.
John: I'm trying…
Was he smothering her? Was he turning her into his whole reason for existing? Maybe. But wasn't that what love was? Wasn't that what this was? He'd seen her alone in that room for months, fighting to smile, pretending she wasn't scared. How could he walk away from that and go chase a future like she didn't exist?
He ran both hands through his hair and stood up, pacing his room.
John: I'm not doing this to control her. I'm doing it because I love her. Doesn't she get that?
But a part of him, deep down; the part that kept getting harder to ignore whispered to him:
"She's not asking to be protected. She's asking to be loved… like a person, not a project."
He sat on his bed, staring at the form again then a sudden realization hit him…
******
Misa came over to visit Kana the next day immediately after her school closed for the day and on getting there, she met Kana looking a bit gloomy face and when she asked what happened, Kana then explained to her how John and her got into a fight last night.
Misa sat frozen for a second after Kana finished telling her what happened. The silence was too thick, until Misa finally scoffed and leaned back in her chair, arms crossed.
Misa: He said what to you? I swear, if that boy were here right now, I'd slap the dramatic out of him.
Kana looked up, startled by her tone.
Kana: Misa…
Misa continued, clearly wound up now.
Misa: No, seriously, You're in a hospital bed fighting to keep your head up, and he's out here making you feel like the bad guy for needing boundaries? Who does that?
Kana responded, a little too defensively.
Kana: He wasn't trying to guilt-trip me, he just… he wasn't thinking straight.
Misa gave her a look but softened.
Misa: Okay fine. I get that emotions were high, but still… what you said wasn't wrong, Kana. He doesn't need to forfeit his future just to be with you.
Kana stared down at her blanket, fingers fidgeting.
Kana: Then why do I feel so awful? Like… maybe I really am pushing him away. What if this is the beginning of the end and I just lit the match?
Misa sighed, her voice gentler now.
Misa: You're not pushing him away. You're telling him not to lose himself in you. That's proof that you love him.
Kana looked up slowly, eyes glassy.
Kana: It hurt so much...
Misa reached out, squeezing Kana's hand.
Misa: I'm sorry you feel like that... you and John just had your first fight. Every couple has them. You'll be fine.
Kana smiled faintly.
Kana: Thanks Misa.
Misa: No problem.
Kana: So you sure you won't beat him up?
Misa grinned.
Misa: No promises. But maybe just a light slap to knock some sense into him.
****
The supermarket was calm that afternoon, the only sound coming from the low hum of the air conditioner. A stillness hung in the air, undisturbed and quiet.
John sat behind the checkout counter, hunched over slightly, his eyes fixed on the phone resting on the desk in front of him. He barely moved, lost in thought, the frown on his face deepening with each passing second.
Outside, Ms. Marie finished her phone call and stepped back into the store. The moment she walked in, she noticed the look on John's face, tight-jawed, brows drawn, irritation written all over him.
Ms. Marie: You got something on your mind, kiddo? What's with the murder-stare?
John blinked like he hadn't noticed she was back, then let out a small grunt and sat up straighter, trying to brush it off.
John: It's nothing. Just... had a fight last night...
Ms. Marie: (crossing her arms) With who? Your girlfriend...?
John: Yeah...
Then he suddenly just realized that Ms Marie wasn't supposed to know about that because he hadn't told her yet.
John: Wait... How did you know?!
Ms. Marie let out a short laugh, shaking her head.
Ms. Marie: Lord, you kids. Fall in love and suddenly forget your elders, huh? You've been walking around here smiling at your phone like a lunatic for weeks, you think I didn't notice something?
John: I guess I did give it away without knowing.
Ms Marie: (smirks) So what's her name?
John: Her name's Kana. Sorry I didn't say anything. It just... didn't feel like something I could put into words yet.
Ms Marie: No worries, just tell me what's eating you up.
John gave a weak chuckle, but it didn't last long. His smile faded fast as he looked back down at the desk.
John: We had a fight last night and it didn't end well. She said I was being too codependent on her and maybe she's right. I was trying to wrap my whole future around her, like she was the only thing that mattered.
Ms. Marie: That doesn't sound like the worst crime in the world, honey. Love makes us do stupid things.
John: (quietly) No, see... it's more than that.
Ms Marie: What do you mean?
He hesitated, voice catching for a moment.
John: The thing is... I realized I was doing the same thing my mom used to do. Just... making excuses and tying my worth, my decisions, my whole damn life on someone else.
He clenched his fists lightly on the counter.
John: My mom... she used to tell me I was the reason she had to keep selling herself. That she couldn't stop, because she had to feed me. It used to screw me up, hearing that.
He looked up at Ms. Marie, his eyes raw.
John: And now here I am, abandoning the idea of school and a future, just to stay in place for Kana. Like she's my reason not to move. It's disgusting… I'm disgusted with myself.
Ms. Marie's expression softened and she walked around the counter and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Ms. Marie: John, look at me.
He did, reluctantly.
Ms. Marie: There's a big difference between using someone as a scapegoat, and being afraid to lose someone you love. You're not your mother. Not even close.
John: But I'm making the same kind of mistake.
Ms. Marie: No, you're making a different mistake. One born out of love, not survival or shame. You're just scared. You've never had something this good before, and now the thought of losing it is tearing you apart.
She gently tapped his chest.
Ms. Marie: But real love doesn't ask you to shrink. It doesn't want to be your anchor. It wants to be your wings. And if that girl's as special as you make her sound, she doesn't want you stuck. She wants you to fly.
John looked away, his throat tightening. He rubbed his palms together, trying to find something to say.
John: …What if I already messed it up?
Ms. Marie gave a small sigh and leaned back against the counter beside him, her tone calm but firm.
Ms. Marie: You didn't kill anyone, John. You just showed her a part of yourself you still haven't figured out yet. That's not the end, that's the beginning.
John chuckled bitterly.
John: She looked at me like… like I wasn't who she thought I was. And maybe she's right.
Ms. Marie: Maybe she saw someone still figuring it out. Ain't nothing wrong with that. We're all just stumbling through this life hoping someone stays long enough to walk with us while we do.
She smiled at him, warmer now.
Ms. Marie: You've got a heart, John. A big one. That's rare. But don't lose yourself trying to protect someone else's light. Find your own too. You hear me?
John nodded slowly, the fight in his chest easing just a little.
John: I hear you.
She ruffled his hair, and he frowned but didn't stop her.
Ms. Marie: Good. Now do me a favor and stop sulking like a kicked puppy. Help me restock the milk aisle. And maybe think about talking to Kana again. Not as a boy who's scared to lose her, but as someone who wants to grow with her. Be her boyfriend, John.
John stood up, rolling his shoulders like a weight had shifted.
John: Yeah. I think I will.
Ms. Marie smirked.
*****
The sky was painted in streaks of deep orange and violet, the last rays of the sun dipping beneath rooftops. John walked home with his hands stuffed in his hoodie pockets, the plastic bag from the supermarket swinging lazily by his side. The breeze was light, but it cooled the sweat on his brow.
His heart thudded with every step.
He paused by a quiet corner, pulling out his phone. He stared at Kana's contact for a long moment before finally pressing the call button. The dial tone echoed in his ear as the wind picked up.
Kana was sitting upright in bed, her hair loosely tied, her expression unreadable as she flipped through a book Misa had left her. The sudden buzz of her phone startled her.
Kana's Screen: "John Calling…"
Her fingers hovered for a second.
Then she answered.
Lonelygirl4556:
(softly)…Hey
John let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Gamerboy115:
Hey.
There was a brief silence, but it wasn't tense. Just… careful.
Gamerboy115:
I… I've been thinking about last night. A lot.
Lonelygirl4556:
Me too.
He looked up at the sky, like the words were stuck somewhere above.
Gamerboy115Gamerboy115:
I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. I let my fear talk for me, and that's not fair to you.
She listened, quietly as John continued to speak.
Gamerboy115:
You were right. I was trying to wrap my life around you and I'm sorry if I made you feel less of yourself.
There was a quick pause before Kan spoke again.
Lonelygirl4556:
…It's fine. I'm not mad at you anymore.
Gamerboy115:
I love you, Kana. I really do.
There was warmth in his voice now that felt real, unshaken and Kana couldn't help but to close her eyes, as a small, warm smile began to form on her face.
Lonelygirl4556:
I know.
******
Meanwhile, from behind a parked car, Rachel, wearing her school bag over one shoulder, froze mid-step. She had been on her way home, earbuds out, when she caught sight of John talking animatedly on the phone.
She'd only planned to glance.
But then she heard it as clear as day.
"I love you, Kana. I really do."
Rachel's expression shifted instantly with a twist of disbelief, a flash of anger, and then… jealousy. Her jaw tightened. Fingers clenched around her phone. Her gaze burned into John's back like she could will him to turn around.
But he didn't.
And that made it worse.
She turned away quickly, walking in the opposite direction, her steps a little faster now as the resentment began simmering just beneath her calm surface.