After that day, I stopped pretending nothing was happening.
Because something was.
The other boy didn't ask again.
But he didn't need to.
Questions don't always need words.
In class, he sat normally.
Talked normally.
Laughed at jokes.
But sometimes, he looked at me like he was waiting.
Waiting for a sign.
My phone stayed quiet the whole day.
That bothered me more than the messages ever did.
After school, I didn't go straight home.
I walked slower.
I wanted to see if something would happen.
Nothing did.
Just as I reached my street, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
You slowed down.
I stopped walking.
You noticed, I typed.
There was a pause.
Then:
Unknown Number:
You are learning the rule.
What rule?
The reply came carefully.
Unknown Number:
This works only if you move on your own.
I leaned against a wall.
"So you don't push," I whispered.
"You wait."
Another message came.
Unknown Number:
And you are not the only one I'm waiting for.
My chest tightened.
So there is someone else.
This time, the pause was longer.
Then:
Unknown Number:
There was.
I stared at the screen.
What happened to him?
Three dots appeared.
Stopped.
Appeared again.
Then disappeared.
No reply.
At home, I couldn't focus on homework.
That sentence stayed in my head.
There was.
That night, one last message arrived.
Unknown Number:
Do not cross the line yet.
I typed quickly.
What line?
The reply came instantly.
Unknown Number:
Asking him directly.
I put my phone down.
Too late.
Because I had already decided.
Tomorrow, I wouldn't wait.