Mikey woke up the next day feeling restless. The air was heavy with unspoken words, and every time he thought about Lila, he felt that familiar knot in his stomach tighten. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing her. It was like trying to grasp sand slipping through his fingers.
As he entered school, he spotted her in the courtyard with some friends. They were laughing, and it looked like they were sharing some inside joke. Mikey felt a twinge of jealousy, but mostly it was just the same frustration. Why couldn't he just break through whatever barrier had formed between them?
He paced around, trying to build up the courage to approach. This time, he told himself it had to be different. Maybe if he acted like everything was normal, it would feel normal. He took a deep breath and walked toward them, forcing his hands to relax.
"Hey, Lila!" he called out, his voice slightly louder than he intended. Her head turned, and for a moment, their eyes locked. But before he could reach her, one of her friends spoke up.
"Mikey! You're just in time. We were about to plan our weekend hangout," one of them said, enthusiasm brightening the air.
Mikey felt a flash of irritation but quickly masked it with a smile. "Oh, cool! Sounds fun."
"Yeah, we're thinking of going to the arcade," another friend chimed in.
Lila looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Yeah, Mikey, you should totally join us," she added, her tone light but her gaze distant.
"Sure, sounds great," he replied, but his heart wasn't in it. He could feel the disconnect, like a thread unraveling between him and Lila.
He took a step closer, willing himself to make his move. "Lila, I wanted to talk to you about something. It's… important."
But just as he spoke, another friend cut him off. "Wait, did you hear about the new game they have at the arcade? It's supposed to be amazing!"
The moment was lost, and Mikey felt the weight of disappointment settle over him. Lila's eyes flickered away, engaging with her friends as if he hadn't spoken. He stood there, frozen for a heartbeat, feeling like an outsider in his own life.
"Yeah, that sounds cool," he mumbled, backing away slowly.
As he walked off, he felt the sting of rejection more than ever. It was like trying to shout underwater, every attempt muffled and pointless. He had come so close this time, but somehow, it felt like he was slipping further away.
Later that day, during gym class, Mikey found himself staring at the wall, watching the basketballs bounce against the hardwood floor. He tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting back to Lila. He thought about their shared memories—how easily they used to talk about everything and nothing, how he could just be himself with her.
As he jogged laps around the gym, he saw Lila across the court, laughing with a group of girls. It twisted something in him to see her so carefree, and he felt a mix of longing and despair. Why couldn't she just look over at him? Why did it feel like every attempt was met with a brick wall?
After class, he decided to take one last shot. He waited outside the gym, leaning against the wall, heart racing. When Lila walked out, he pushed off the wall, hoping the determination on his face would break through the silence.
"Lila, wait!" he called out, and this time, he wouldn't let anything or anyone interrupt him. She paused, turning to look at him, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes.
"What's up?" she asked, her tone more neutral than before.
"I just wanted to see how you've been… I feel like we haven't really talked lately." The words tumbled out, a mix of urgency and anxiety.
Her expression softened, but only for a moment. "I've been fine. Just busy with school and stuff."
"Yeah, me too. But I miss—"
"Mikey, I really need to go," she interrupted, her voice firm now.
His heart sank again. "Right. Sorry. Maybe later?"
"Sure," she said, but there was no promise in her tone.
As she walked away, he felt the familiar knot tightening in his chest. Another failed attempt. Another moment lost. He kicked the ground lightly, frustration bubbling under the surface. It was like he was shouting into the void, and the void was shouting back silence.