When I woke up that morning, the first thing I did was check my phone.
The empty notification bar stared back at me like it was mocking me for expecting anything different.
I got up, forced myself through the motions, washing my face, brushing my hair, dressing for school.
By the time I stepped outside, the air was cool and damp, the kind of morning that carried leftover dew on every leaf and a soft gray light across the street. I stood by the gate, scanning the road for any sign of him.
Nothing.
No familiar figure leaning against the fence.
Just stillness.
I hugged my bag tighter against my chest and bit my lip. Maybe he was just running late. Maybe he’d show up any minute now, grinning that crooked grin and teasing me for worrying so much despite the sadness he's experiencing.
S
