The Day He Wasn’t There
1596 Words
The next morning, Bethany walked into school quieter than usual.
Not just quiet in voice, but in presence.
Something about her felt… off.
She wasn’t smiling. She wasn’t reacting to Ava’s usual morning chatter. Even Ava noticed it immediately but didn’t say anything until they reached their classroom.
Evan still hadn’t come.
That was the thought looping in Bethany’s mind since she woke up.
She told herself it was nothing. Maybe he was sick. Maybe he just needed space.
But the more she tried to ignore it, the heavier it sat in her chest.
By the time lunch arrived, she was barely present.
The cafeteria was loud as always—trays clinking, students shouting across tables, laughter bouncing off every corner of the room.
Bethany sat with her usual group.
Ava dropped beside her first, immediately noticing her expression.
“Okay… what’s wrong with you today?” Ava asked, narrowing her eyes.
Bethany poked at her food. “Nothing.”
Ava leaned closer. “That’s a lie and you know it.”
Sarah, sitting across from them, glanced up from her neatly arranged food. “You’ve been quiet since morning. Did something happen?”
Before Bethany could answer, Cal leaned back in his chair with a grin. “Maybe she finally realized school food is emotional damage.”
Nelson, sitting beside him, let out a small laugh without looking up from his tray. “It always is.”
Ava snorted. “Cal, you talk too much for someone who eats like a robot.”
Cal gasped. “Excuse me? I am a man of culture.”
“Culture of nonsense,” Ava shot back immediately.
That made Bethany laugh faintly, but it didn’t last.
Sarah noticed again. “Bethany, seriously… are you okay?”
Ava didn’t even hesitate before answering. “She’s love sick.”
Bethany froze.
Then turned sharply and slapped Ava lightly on the arm.
“Shut up!”
Ava laughed loudly, rubbing her arm. “Ouch! I’m just stating facts!”
Cal leaned forward, eyes wide. “Wait—love sick? Who? Did someone finally confess? Is it me? I feel like it should be me.”
Nelson shook his head slowly. “It’s never you.”
Cal frowned. “That’s rude but probably accurate.”
Even Sarah chuckled softly, but her eyes stayed on Bethany.
Bethany tried to smile again, but her thoughts drifted right back to Evan.
Still not here.
Ava noticed the shift immediately and lowered her voice. “You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?”
Bethany didn’t answer.
That was answer enough.
When lunch ended and they returned to class, Bethany still felt restless.
Evan’s seat was empty again.
It made her chest tighten in a way she didn’t understand.
By the time school ended, she couldn’t take it anymore.
Ava noticed immediately when Bethany stood up faster than usual.
“Don’t tell me…” Ava started.
Bethany already had her bag. “I need to check something.”
Ava blinked. “Check what?”
But Bethany was already walking away.
She didn’t even know she was heading there until her feet slowed.
Evan’s house.
She stopped.
For a second, confusion hit her.
She hadn’t been there before.
Then she remembered.
The day they went to the beach.
He had pointed casually as they passed it.
“That’s my house.”
Her eyes lifted slowly.
But now she wasn’t fully sure which one it was.
She walked along the street, scanning carefully.
Then she saw it.
A small house with a quiet gate… and a small garden.
Something clicked in her memory.
He had mentioned his mom’s garden once.
Her heartbeat quickened slightly.
This is it.
She pushed the gate open and stepped forward.
Before she could knock, the door opened.
A woman stood there.
Mrs. Lee.
She looked surprised, but calm.
“Hello dear,” she said gently. “Can I help you?”
Bethany straightened slightly.
“I’m looking for Evan Lee.”
Mrs. Lee paused. “And you are?”
“I’m his classmate,” Bethany said quickly. “He hasn’t been in school… I just wanted to check if he’s okay.”
Mrs. Lee studied her for a moment.
“Oh… I see.”
There was a small pause before she stepped aside slightly.
“He’s not home right now. He went out with Whiskers. He needed some fresh air.”
Bethany blinked slightly.
“Whiskers?”
Mrs. Lee smiled faintly. “His cat.”
Bethany’s expression softened immediately. “He has a cat?”
Mrs. Lee nodded. “Yes. A very clingy one.”
Bethany gave a small, surprised smile. “That’s… actually cute.”
Mrs. Lee watched her carefully for a moment before speaking again.
“He usually goes to the beach when he needs space.”
Bethany’s head lifted slightly.
“The beach?”
Mrs. Lee looked a little surprised. “You know where it is?”
“Yes,” Bethany said quickly. “We’ve been there before.”
That made Mrs. Lee pause.
Her expression shifted slightly—surprised, almost suspicious.
“Oh…” she said slowly. “You two must be close then.”
Bethany’s cheeks warmed immediately.
“No, ma… not really. We’re just classmates.”
Mrs. Lee studied her for a moment longer, then smiled softly and nodded.
“Be careful then.”
Bethany bowed slightly. “Thank you, ma.”
She turned and left quickly.
Behind her, Mrs. Lee stood at the doorway for a moment longer than usual.
Then she smiled faintly to herself.
So he really is making friends…
And for the first time in a long time, Evan didn’t seem completely alone.
Bethany reached the beach after a short bus ride, her thoughts racing more with every step.
The wind was soft, the sky painted orange and gold.
And then she saw him.
Evan was sitting on the sand, knees pulled to his chest, staring at the waves.
Whiskers lay beside him, tail flicking lazily.
Bethany slowed.
She hadn’t expected to feel nervous.
But she did.
Then she took a breath.
And walked closer.
“Hey.”
Evan looked up.
And froze.
For a second, he just stared at her like she wasn’t real.
Like his mind was playing tricks on him.
Then confusion broke through.
“How did you know I was here?”
Bethany sat down beside him.
“I went to your house. Your mom told me.”
He blinked again.
Still staring.
Then finally—
“I thought you didn’t want to talk to me anymore.”
Bethany didn’t answer that immediately.
Instead, her eyes moved down.
And she noticed something beside him.
A small cat.
She leaned slightly forward.
“Oh… is this Whiskers?”
Evan looked at her, still visibly surprised.
“Yes…”
Whiskers blinked at her slowly, then stood up and walked closer, sniffing her hand before brushing lightly against her fingers.
Bethany’s face softened immediately.
“He’s cute,” she said quietly, gently scratching behind his ear.
Evan watched her.
Still not used to seeing her here.
Still not understanding why she was here at all.
“You really came all the way here… just to check on me?” he asked.
Bethany nodded slightly.
“You didn’t come to school. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Silence stretched between them.
The waves filled it instead.
After a moment, Evan looked away.
“…I’m not fine.”
Bethany didn’t rush him.
She simply stayed.
Then lightly nudged him.
Wanna go somewhere? The arcade maybe.”
He blinked. “The arcade?”
“Trust me. It helps.”
After a pause, he nodded.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Neon lights flashed as they entered. Machines beeped, coins clinked, laughter echoed from every corner.
For the first time that day, Evan looked lighter.
They played air hockey.
“You’re not bad, Martins.”
“I’m amazing, don’t lie.”
They raced in arcade cars, laughing too loudly, bumping shoulders, forgetting everything outside those flashing lights.
They danced badly.
They laughed harder.
And for a few hours, nothing else mattered.
They ate at a small burger shop across the street.
Warm lights. Soft chatter. The smell of fries.
Evan leaned back in his seat.
“Thanks for today, Martins.”
“Anytime.”
They talked. Ate. Laughed again.
For a moment, Evan wasn’t grief.
He was just Evan.
The night air was cool when they left.
Their footsteps echoed softly on the pavement.
When they reached her house, Bethany stopped.
“I’m home.”
Evan stepped back slightly. “Go inside. Rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She hesitated for a second.
Then smiled faintly.
“Goodnight, Evan.”
She looked down at Whiskers.
“And goodnight, Whiskers.”
Whiskers meowed softly in response, rubbing against Evan’s leg.
Evan gave a small smile.
“Goodnight, Martins.”
She turned and went inside.
Evan stood there for a moment longer than necessary.
Watching the door.
Then finally turned and walked away.
But for the first time in days…
The silence didn’t feel as heavy.
Inside, her father looked up.
“Long day?”
“Yeah… Evan’s sister… it’s the anniversary.”
“He’s lucky to have a friend like you.”
“I’m just his classmate.”
Her father only smiled quietly.
Later that night, Bethany lay in bed, thinking about waves, arcade lights, and a boy who looked less alone for a few hours.
Her phone buzzed.
Evan: Thanks for today. It means a lot. See you tomorrow.
She smiled.
And finally, she slept.
- Writer
