The next morning felt… off.
He couldn't explain it.
Nothing had changed.
The same routine. The same place. The same people.
But something was missing.
And it was starting to get under his skin.
He walked in, his usual confident stride slowing just a little as his eyes scanned the room.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
His brows furrowed.
That seat.
Empty.
He looked away quickly, like it didn't matter.
Like he hadn't noticed.
But a few seconds later…
His eyes went back.
Still empty.
A strange feeling settled in his chest—unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
"She's not here today?" he asked without thinking.
His friend looked at him, confused. "Who?"
He hesitated.
Why did he even ask?
Why did it matter?
He scoffed lightly. "No one. Forget it."
But he didn't forget.
Not even close.
Time passed slower than usual.
Conversations felt dull.
Jokes weren't as funny.
Even when she arrived—the one he always waited for—it didn't feel the same.
She was talking.
Smiling.
Touching his arm.
But his attention kept drifting.
To the door.
To that empty seat.
To the quiet space that suddenly felt too loud without you in it.
"Are you even listening?" she asked, slightly annoyed.
"Hm?" He blinked, snapping back. "Yeah, of course."
"You've been distracted all day," she said, crossing her arms.
"I'm fine," he replied quickly.
Too quickly.
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't push further.
Still…
Something had changed.
And for the first time—
It wasn't about her.
By afternoon, the feeling got worse.
It wasn't just distraction anymore.
It was irritation.
Restlessness.
Like something was unfinished.
Like something was missing that he couldn't replace.
He pulled out his phone, unlocking it without thinking.
His thumb hovered over the screen.
Then stopped.
Your name.
Right there.
Simple.
Familiar.
Always available.
He stared at it longer than he should have.
His jaw tightened.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered, locking his phone again.
Why was he even thinking about you?
You were just…
There.
Quiet.
Easy.
Always around.
He had never needed to think about you before.
So why now?
Meanwhile…
You hadn't left your room.
The silence wrapped around you like a second skin.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
But somehow…
Safer than being out there.
Where he was.
Where she was.
Where you didn't belong.
Your phone buzzed softly on the bed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
You stared at it from across the room.
Your heart betrayed you, beating faster with every vibration.
Just one thought repeating in your mind.
What if it's him?
You shook your head quickly.
No.
You weren't doing this again.
You walked over slowly, picking up the phone with hesitant fingers.
Your breath caught as you unlocked it.
Then…
It dropped.
Not physically.
But emotionally.
No message from him.
Not even a missed call.
Just random notifications that meant nothing.
You let out a small, broken laugh.
"Of course," you whispered.
Why would he reach out?
You left.
Not him.
Back outside, he was losing patience.
"This is so annoying," he muttered, pacing slightly.
"What is?" his friend asked.
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "I don't know. It just feels like something's off."
His friend raised an eyebrow. "Maybe because you keep looking at the door every five seconds?"
"I am not," he snapped.
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…am I?"
His friend smirked but didn't answer.
Because the truth was obvious.
Even if he wasn't ready to admit it.
Evening came.
And the feeling didn't go away.
If anything…
It got worse.
He found himself walking past places you used to be.
Not intentionally.
But not accidentally either.
That quiet corner.
That hallway.
That spot where you used to stand… watching him.
Waiting.
Always waiting.
He stopped walking.
For a moment, he just stood there.
Looking at nothing.
Or maybe…
Looking at memories he never appreciated.
A strange tightness filled his chest again.
Uncomfortable.
Unfamiliar.
Unavoidable.
And for the first time—
A thought crossed his mind.
Why didn't she come today?
Not irritation.
Not annoyance.
Something deeper.
Something quieter.
Something dangerous.
Concern.
Back in your room…
You sat by the window, watching the sky slowly darken.
Your reflection stared back at you.
Tired.
Empty.
But different.
Stronger… in a fragile way.
You hugged your knees, resting your chin softly.
And whispered into the silence—
"I'm not going back."
The words felt heavy.
Real.
Final.
But somewhere deep inside…
A small voice trembled.
What if he finally notices?
You closed your eyes tightly.
Shaking your head.
"No," you said again, firmer this time.
"Even if he does…"
A tear slipped down your cheek.
"…it's too late."
And across the city…
He stood still, staring at his phone once more.
Your name still there.
Unchanged.
Waiting.
Just like you always did.
His thumb moved slightly.
Hovering.
Hesitating.
Fighting something he didn't understand.
Then—
He locked the phone.
Slipped it back into his pocket.
And walked away.
Still unaware…
That every second he waited—
He was getting closer to losing you completely