I didn't reply.
I just stared at the message.
"We need to talk."
My fingers felt cold around my phone.
I could reply.
I should reply.
But something stopped me.
Maybe it was fear.
Maybe it was guilt.
Or maybe it was the quiet voice in my head telling me that once I answered… things would only get worse.
So I locked my phone and dropped it beside me.
"I'll deal with it tomorrow," I whispered.
But even as I said it—
I knew tomorrow wouldn't be easier.
The next morning felt heavier than the last.
Like I hadn't rested at all.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection again. My eyes looked tired. Not just sleepy… tired.
I sighed and looked away.
There was no point trying to fix it.
School felt different the moment I walked in.
Not because anything had changed.
But because I had.
Every step felt more careful.
Every glance felt like it meant something.
When I entered the classroom, she was already there.
My best friend.
She looked up immediately when she saw me.
And for a second—
I felt nervous.
"Good morning," she said.
Her voice was normal.
Too normal.
"Morning," I replied, forcing a small smile as I sat down.
For a while, everything stayed quiet.
Too quiet.
Then—
"Did you sleep well?" she asked.
I nodded. "A little."
"That's good."
Another pause.
Then she added—
"You didn't check your phone last night?"
My heart skipped.
I turned to her slowly. "Why would you ask that?"
She shrugged slightly. "You usually reply fast."
I looked away.
"I was tired."
"Hmm."
That was all she said.
But something about it didn't feel right.
Classes started, but I couldn't focus.
I kept thinking about the message.
About him.
About what he wanted to say.
And about what might happen if I listened.
Halfway through the lesson, I felt it again.
That feeling.
Like someone was watching me.
I didn't want to look.
But I did.
And there he was.
Looking straight at me.
My breath caught slightly.
He didn't look away this time.
Not like before.
His expression was serious.
Like he had already made up his mind about something.
I quickly looked down at my book.
My heart was beating too fast.
Break time came.
I didn't move.
I didn't want to.
I knew if I stepped outside—
Something would happen.
"Mina, let's go get something," she said, standing up.
I hesitated.
"I'm not really hungry."
She looked at me for a second.
Then smiled lightly. "You don't have to eat. Just come with me."
I couldn't say no.
So I stood up and followed her.
We walked out together, side by side again.
But I couldn't relax.
I could feel it.
Something was off.
When we reached the corridor, she suddenly slowed down.
"Wait here," she said.
"I'll be back."
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Just… wait," she replied, then walked away before I could say anything else.
I frowned slightly.
That was strange.
I stood there, unsure of what to do.
And then—
"Mina."
I froze.
Not again.
I turned slowly.
He was standing a few steps behind me.
Closer than I expected.
"You didn't reply," he said.
His voice was calm.
But there was something under it.
Something serious.
"I was tired," I said.
Another lie.
He didn't react immediately.
Then he stepped closer.
"We need to talk."
"I know," I replied quietly.
"But not here."
My chest tightened.
"Then where?"
"After school," he said.
I shook my head quickly. "No."
His brows pulled together slightly. "Why?"
"You know why," I said.
My voice came out lower this time.
"If she finds out—"
"I'm not asking about her."
His words cut through mine.
I looked at him, surprised.
"Then what are you asking?"
"I'm asking about you."
My breath caught again.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not avoiding you."
"You are."
He moved a little closer.
Too close.
I could feel it again.
That tension.
That feeling I didn't understand.
"Tell me the truth," he said.
"I am," I replied.
"No, you're not."
His voice was softer now.
And somehow… that made it worse.
"Did something change?"
My heart skipped.
I didn't answer.
Because I knew the truth.
Something had changed.
Me.
Everything felt different now.
And I didn't know how to fix it.
"Nothing changed," I whispered.
He looked at me for a long moment.
Like he was trying to read something I wasn't saying.
Then—
"Then look at me and say it again."
I froze.
"I just did."
"Not properly."
My fingers tightened slightly.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
"Because you're lying."
Before I could respond—
"I saw it myself."
The voice came from behind us.
My whole body went still.
Slowly—
I turned.
She was standing there.
My best friend.
Her eyes moved between both of us.
Not confused anymore.
Not unsure.
This time—
She knew something.
"What… are you talking about?" I said.
My voice didn't sound steady.
She didn't answer immediately.
She just looked at me.
Then at him.
Then back at me.
"I saw your messages."
My heart dropped.
Everything around me felt quiet.
Too quiet.
"You left your phone open yesterday," she continued.
"I didn't mean to look… but I saw his name."
I couldn't breathe properly.
"You said he didn't text you," she added.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it hurt more that way.
"So why were you lying to me?"
I opened my mouth.
But nothing came out.
Because this time—
I had no excuse.