She paused just inside the doorway, the bell above it ringing once
before settling back into silence. When she saw me, she lifted her hand
and waved.
“Hi, Ariel.”
I nodded and signed back that I was fine.
She smiled—but something in her expression didn’t match the gesture. Her eyes looked tired. Uneasy.
She walked toward the counter slowly. When she reached me, she
hesitated, as if weighing her words. Her mouth opened, then closed
again.
Finally, she pulled out her phone.
“Can you open yours?” she asked. “I’ll text.”
I unlocked my screen.
Her message appeared.
Anya:
Hey Ariel.
This is about Aviva.
I looked up briefly, then back down.
Anya:
She hasn’t been coming to college since yesterday.
I tried calling her—she didn’t answer.
She texted once, said she wasn’t feeling well.
Anya rested her elbows lightly on the counter, watching me read.
Anya:
Today she didn’t come again.
So after lunch, I went to her house.
My fingers slowed.
Anya:
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Her father opened the door.
When I said I was her friend, he called out to her.
He told me she’s been staying in her room.
Not talking much.
He asked me to speak to her.
She paused, then continued.
Anya:
When I went in, she wouldn’t look at me at first.
She just sat there, holding herself, like she was trying to disappear.
The store felt distant.
Anya:
I asked her what happened.
She wouldn’t explain.
She just kept saying she couldn’t face you.
Anya exhaled slowly.
Anya:
Ariel… I think this is my fault too.
I looked up at her.
She met my eyes.
“I should’ve told her,” she said quietly. “About you. About…
everything. I thought she already knew since you both met at the store.”
She shook her head.
“I assumed. And I shouldn’t have.”
She typed again.
Anya:
I told her she shouldn’t punish herself like this.
I told her you’re kind.
That you wouldn’t misunderstand her.
I told her it was okay to talk to you now.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before continuing.
Anya:
But she’s scared.
Not of you—
of what she did without knowing.
Another pause.
Anya:
End-sem exams are close.
She can’t keep missing college like this.
Anya looked at me again, this time openly worried.
Anya:
I need to ask you something.
The next message came slowly.
Anya:
Would you come to the park after your shift?
I think open space might help her breathe.
She won’t come here.
I’ll bring her there.
Just… be there. Please.
I finished reading.
For a moment, I said nothing.
Then I nodded.
Once.
I typed back and turned the phone toward her.
Okay.
Anya’s shoulders relaxed immediately.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I really mean that.”
She smiled—this time with relief.
Anya stepped away from the counter, gave a small wave, and left the store.
The bell rang once.
I returned to my work.
But the rest of the shift moved slowly, like time itself was waiting.
When the clock finally reached the end of my shift, I signed out, picked up my jacket, and stepped outside.
The evening air was cooler.
I turned toward the park.
To be continued…
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