Bella
I stood up abruptly, my legs shaky. The concrete was freezing under my bare feet.
“I need to think,” I said.
“Bella—”
“I’m fine.” Lie. “Just… go home. Please. I need to be alone.”
He stood too, looking helpless. “I don’t want to leave you like this.”
“I know.” I touched his cheek, softly. “But I need space. I’ll call you when the sun rises. Promise.”
He searched my face, then nodded slowly. Kissed my forehead long and lingering, like he was afraid it might be the last time.
Then he walked away, footsteps echoing down the stairs until the night swallowed him.
I stayed on the ledge a long time after he left.
The campus was quiet except for the distant hum of traffic somewhere far off. My phone buzzed once, probably another worried text from him, but I didn’t check.
Instead,
