Chapter 6: The Rooftop Truth
The next day felt heavier than any other.
Maya couldn't focus on anything.
Every second felt like a countdown.
When the final bell rang, her heart started pounding.
This was it.
She slowly walked to ward the stairs leading to the rooftop. Each step felt uncertain....like she was walking into something unknown. Or something dangerous.
The rooftop door was slightly open.
A cold breeze slipped through the gap.
Maya paused.
Her hand trembled as she pushed the door open.
The rooftop was empty.
Or at least....it looked empty.
Her eyes scanned the space.
Nothing.
Just silence.
"Hello.....?" She called softly.
No response.
Her heart started racing.
Was this a mistake?
Then...
"I knew you'd come."
Maya turned around quickly.
A boy stood near the far corner of the rooftop, half-hidden in the shadows.
Her breath caught.
"You.....?"
He stepped forward slowly.
He looked about her ago.
Calm. Quiet.
Familiar in a strange way.
"You've been calling me?" Maya asked, her voice shaking.
He nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?" She demanded. " Why me?"
He looked at her, his eyes serious.
"Because I see myself in you."
Maya froze.
"What does that mean?"
"I used to be like you," he said." Silent. Invisible ignored."
His voice was steady,bit his eyes held something deeper.
Pain.
"No one listend to me," he continued.
"No one noticed when I was breaking. "
Maya felt her chest tighten.
She understood.
Too well.
"So .....you started calling stranger?" She asked.
He shook his head.
"Not strangers. Just you."
"Why only me?"
"Because you're still fighting. "
Maya didn't know what to say.
Fighting?
She felt weak. Broken.
"I saw you yesterday, " he said.
"In class. When you stood up."
Maya's eyes widened.
"You were there?"
He nodded.
"I saw the way they looked at you.The way they laughed. "
Silence fell between them.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was.....understood.
"You're not alone, " he said softly.
Maya looked down.
"I very always been alone. "
"Not anymore. "
She looked up at him.
For the first time..
There was something in her eyes.
Hope.
"What's your name?"She asked.
The boy hesitate.
Then ...
"Arin."
Maya repeated it quickly.
"Arin...."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"See? Not so hard to speak. "
Maya let out a small breath.
Maybe.....
Just maybe.....
This was the beginning of something different.
But deep inside...
Something still felt off.
Something she couldn't explain.
As the wind blew across the rooftop, maybe had one though.....
What if this wasn't the truth?
What if.....
This was only part of it?
(To be continued...)