The next morning, Mikey found himself standing in front of the school gates, a slight heaviness in his chest. The conversation with Lila the evening before had left him feeling more exposed than he'd expected. But, there was also a faint sense of relief. At least now she knew he was dealing with something serious, even if he couldn't explain it all.
He spotted Lila near the lockers, laughing with Ryan, Jake, and Sarah. For a moment, he thought about walking over and joining them. But then he hesitated. He didn't want to get too comfortable. One slip, one wrong word, and he might end up saying too much.
As he approached, Lila noticed him and gave a small wave. There was something different in her smile today—a little softer, maybe even understanding. Mikey managed a small smile in return, and that seemed to make her eyes light up.
"Morning, Mikey!" Jake called out, giving him a playful nudge when he got close enough. "You're actually smiling today. What's the occasion?"
Mikey chuckled awkwardly, trying to keep things casual. "Just…a good morning, I guess."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Because yesterday you looked like you were ready to walk into a storm cloud."
Mikey shrugged, forcing a grin. "Maybe I just got more sleep."
Ryan rolled his eyes, leaning against the lockers. "You know, Mikey, it wouldn't hurt if you let us in on what's going on in that head of yours once in a while. I mean, we're your friends, right?"
Mikey felt his stomach twist. They had no idea just how much he wanted to tell them. But his gaze flicked to Lila, who was watching him with that same patient look from last night, and it gave him a bit of strength. "I know, guys. I'll… try to be around more."
"Good! Because we're tired of the mysterious act," Jake said, crossing his arms dramatically. "You're like some undercover agent or something."
The irony of Jake's comment nearly made Mikey laugh, but he caught himself. Instead, he just nodded and tried to play along. "I'll keep that in mind."
They all laughed, the tension loosening slightly, and for the first time in a while, Mikey felt like he could relax—even if it was just for a little while.
---
Mikey went through the morning classes in a bit of a haze, his mind drifting between his worries and the fleeting comfort he'd found with his friends. He caught himself glancing over at Lila now and then, finding her looking back at him with an encouraging smile. It grounded him, even as the weight of everything he couldn't say pressed on him.
In history class, their teacher was going over some old lesson on explorers, his voice droning on as he wrote dates and names on the board. Mikey found himself tapping his pen, distracted. Normally, he would've been trying to take notes, but today, he was too restless to focus.
Lila passed him a note. Still thinking about last night? it read, her handwriting small and neat.
Mikey glanced at her, nodding a little before scribbling back, *Kind of. Trying not to let it mess with my day* Mikey handed the note back to Lila and tried to focus on the lesson, but his thoughts kept drifting. Every time he looked at his friends, he felt a pang of guilt. They'd always been there for him, and now here he was, keeping a part of his life hidden. It was like he was living two different lives, and trying to balance them felt like walking on a tightrope.
As class went on, he noticed Lila occasionally glancing his way. There was a kindness in her eyes, a silent reminder that she was there, even if she didn't know the full story. It reassured him, if only for a moment.
The bell finally rang, and Mikey gathered his things, feeling an odd mix of relief and dread. He could hear his friends laughing and chatting as they walked into the hallway. It was comforting to be around them, but he couldn't help but wonder how much longer he could keep his secret.