JUST BLUE TICKS
The house in Benin was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes you hear your own thoughts. Alexia had gone out with an old friend. *Alexia: "Just for lunch, babe! I’ll be back,"* she’d said, kissing his cheek. Lipstick mark. Door closed. Leo was alone. He sat on the couch and stared at his phone. Screen bright in the dim living room. Liana’s chat was still open. _Seen 7:43 AM._ Blue ticks. No reply. 24 hours of nothing. He felt something different. Not happy. Not guilty. Heavy. He typed. _Hey_ Deleted. _You there_ Deleted. _Can we talk_ Deleted. Then he called. It rang once. His chest tightened. Twice. Three times. His heart was pounding. Thud. Thud. _"Hello?"_ Liana’s voice. Small. Ca
- Writer
