After that day…
things slowly started changing between us.
We were officially friends now.
But… it still felt awkward.
Not just for me.
For her too.
We both were introverts.
We had never really talked to the opposite gender before.
So every conversation felt like…
a small challenge.
But the difference was—
I tried.
A lot.
Sometimes, I even acted like…
she was more than just a friend.
Meanwhile…
her efforts were…
a little less.
Even below normal "friend level."
But still…
things were improving.
Little by little.
We started talking more.
About random things.
"Do you like music?" I asked one day.
"Yeah… soft songs," she replied.
"I like action movies," I said.
"I like romantic ones," she said.
Of course you do…
I thought.
"What about food?" I asked.
"I like spicy food."
"I can't even handle medium spicy."
She laughed a little.
That small laugh…
felt like an achievement.
We also talked about:
Favorite colors Favorite subjects Even small things like sleep timings
Sometimes the conversations were smooth.
Sometimes…
painfully awkward.
But somehow…
we kept going.
And honestly…
I liked it.
I liked talking to her.
Maybe…
more than I should.
Then one day…
she came to my house again.
Maths homework.
As usual.
She sat beside me.
And for once…
she was actually focusing.
Which surprised me.
"Wow… you're actually studying today," I said.
She looked at me.
"I always study."
"Yeah… on Instagram."
She hit my arm lightly.
"I'm serious!"
"Okay, okay."
We both smiled.
It felt… normal.
Comfortable.
For a moment.
Then—
ting
A notification sound.
Her phone.
I looked at her.
She glanced at the screen.
"Check it," I said casually.
"It must be your friend."
"I'll solve this question meanwhile."
She nodded.
"Okay, thanks."
She picked up her phone.
And started typing.
Normally…
I wouldn't care.
But today…
something felt different.
Her phone brightness was normal.
Not low like before.
Which meant…
I could see it.
At first…
I didn't pay attention.
But then…
my eyes moved on their own.
And I saw it.
The username.
"Samuel_99"
My hand stopped moving.
My mind went blank.
A… boy?
I looked again.
Same name.
No mistake.
A strange feeling hit me.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
I slowly looked at her.
She was smiling.
Not just smiling…
she was laughing softly while typing.
That…
hurt more than I expected.
Why is she laughing like that…?
Who is he…?
Is he… special to her?
Questions kept coming.
But I didn't ask anything.
I couldn't.
I just stayed silent.
And solved the question.
Faster than usual.
Without thinking.
Without feeling.
After finishing…
I quietly pushed the notebook towards her.
"It's done."
She looked at me.
"Already?"
"Yeah."
My voice was flat.
Different.
She noticed it.
I could tell.
But I didn't explain.
"Bye," I said.
"You can go now."
She looked a little confused.
"Uh… okay."
She took the notebook.
"Thank you…"
I didn't respond.
She stood up slowly.
Still looking at me.
Like she was trying to understand something.
But I avoided her eyes.
And just like that…
she left.
The room became silent again.
But this time…
it didn't feel calm.
It felt… heavy.
I looked at the table.
Then at the door.
Then at my hand.
The same hand she held a few days ago.
I clenched my fist.
"…Samuel."
I whispered.
My chest felt tight.
And for the first time…
since we became friends—
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
And I didn't like it.
(In Crying Voice) Maybe I am not made for her ...
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