Stillness Between Breaths

The classroom is hushed.
Outside, the city breathes in shades of grey and gold. I hold this bottle close to my cheek, letting its chill ground me when my thoughts begin to drift toward you.

Yesterday, your shadow fell across my desk—a fleeting ghost of presence. Now, I trace that memory with my fingertips. The water is clear, but it cannot wash away the way you looked at me in the corner of your eye. One second of contact, and suddenly, the air feels heavier, sweeter.

I am learning that some silences are louder than words. In this quiet room, I sit alone, yet I am listening for the echo of your name in my own heartbeat.

Editor: Pure Linen