I stared at the message for hours.
It was just 1 word.
"Hey"
It shouldnt have meant anything... but it did.
I stared at it between classes, during lunch. Even after school. My thumbs hovered over the keyboard like they were waiting for their permission to move.
I typed something dumb.
"hey."
Then deleted it.
Typed again.
"you okay."
Deleted that too.
I kept wondering if she meant to send it to me. Mabye it was an accident. Mabye a joke. People like her dont message people like me.
But what if.
What if she needed someone.
I stayed late after school that day. Said i had a project i had to be done with. I just didint wnat to go home.
The halls were empty. Lights dimmed, no lockers getting slammed.
Then i heard it.
Just around the corner near the stairs, a quiet sob.
I paused and listened. Quiet steps.
It was her.
She sat alone on the bottom of the stairs, arms wrapped around her knees, her phone face flat on the floor beside her. Her hair was long enough to hide most of her face, but i could see her shoulders shaking.
She was crying.
Alone.
It felt wrong, like seeing the sun flicker.
I didint meanto to watch it. I wish i said something. Anything.
My heart slammed against my ribs like it was trying to speak for me.
She looked up, way too fast.
Her eyes locked with mine.
There it was again, that flicker. That split seconddrop of the facade.
The she smiled.
Big, bright, like nothing ever happned.
"Hey," she called out, voice light and fake. "You lost or something?"
I shook my head.
She laughed and waved me off. "All good. Just had a moment. Im fine"
Fine.
I nodded like an idiot and turned away. Walked fast. I regretted it insantly.
Back in my room, i opened her message again.
Still unread.
Still waiting to get answered.
I typed:
"I saw you today. You dont have to smile if you dont want too"
Then deleted it.
I couldve said something. I shouldve. But i didint. And thats the part i keep carrying.