The Space Between Us

The classroom buzzed faintly, like the hum of fluorescent lights. Ethan could feel Mira sitting next to him, her presence both comforting and nerve-wracking. He kept his gaze glued to the front, but every now and then, he could sense her glance his way. It was as if she could see through the layers he'd carefully built to keep people out.

Why did she have to sit next to me? he thought, trying to keep his breathing steady. His fingers drummed softly against his notebook, a nervous rhythm he couldn't stop.

"Alright, take out your books," the teacher announced, snapping Ethan out of his thoughts.

Ethan reached into his bag, but his hand froze when he realized his textbook wasn't there. Crap. I left it on the roof. Panic welled up in his chest again, quick and suffocating.

Without a word, Mira slid her book a little closer to the center of their desks. "We can share," she whispered, her voice casual but kind.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly. "Thanks," he muttered, barely above a breath.

They read together in silence for the next hour. Occasionally, their shoulders would brush, and every time, Ethan would stiffen, his pulse jumping. But Mira never flinched or pulled away. She just kept reading, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Ethan exhaled quietly, realizing he'd been holding his breath.

"You're pretty quiet," Mira said as she packed up her things. Her tone wasn't judgmental, just... curious.

"I'm just like that," Ethan replied, avoiding her eyes. "It's easier."

"Easier?" she echoed, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Or safer?"

Her words hit him harder than he expected. He glanced at her, but she was already walking toward the door, waving as she went.

"See you later, Ethan."

He stared after her, unsure what to make of it. Safer, he thought. Yeah... maybe it is.

Later That Day

Ethan found himself wandering again. His feet led him to the rooftop without thinking, the place where he could breathe. The sky was a soft orange now, streaked with fading light. He sat down by the fence, pulling out his notebook once more.

The page from earlier was still unfinished. He read over the last sentence, his own handwriting suddenly feeling foreign to him.

"The hero stood at the edge of the world, unsure if he belonged on either side."

He sighed. That line could've been about himself. He twirled the pen between his fingers, staring out over the schoolyard where the last of the students were heading home.

"Deep thoughts again?" a familiar voice called out.

Ethan jumped slightly, turning to see Mira standing there, a plastic bottle of juice in one hand and a small bag in the other.

"I figured you'd be here," she said, sitting down beside him without waiting for an invitation.

Ethan blinked. "How?"

She smiled. "You've got 'I'm gonna disappear to the roof' vibes. Took a guess."

He gave a faint, awkward laugh. "Great. That obvious, huh?"

"Only if you're paying attention," she said, handing him the bottle of juice. "Here. You looked like you could use something sweet."

He hesitated but took it. "Thanks..."

For a moment, they sat in silence, drinking their juice as the wind picked up, carrying with it the faint scent of rain. It wasn't uncomfortable silence, though. It was... still.

"So," Mira said, setting her bottle down. "What are you writing?"

Ethan froze. "It's nothing important."

She raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't have to be important to matter."

He stared at her, unsure whether to respond. No one had ever asked about his writing before. He always assumed they wouldn't care—or worse, they'd laugh.

"I'm... working on a story," he said slowly. "About a hero who doesn't know if he's meant to save anyone."

Mira nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like he's got a lot on his mind."

"Yeah," Ethan admitted. "He does."

She leaned back, resting her hands behind her. "You know, I think everyone feels like that sometimes. Not knowing where they fit. Not sure they can make a difference."

Ethan glanced at her. "Do you?"

She chuckled. "All the time. That's why I sing. Helps me feel... less lost."

He was quiet, her words settling deep inside him.

"You should write me into your story," Mira said suddenly.

He blinked. "What?"

She grinned. "Yeah! Make me the mysterious traveler who sings ancient songs and helps the hero find his way."

He stared at her for a moment before, unexpectedly, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You'd really want that?"

"Of course," she said. "As long as I get a cool hat."

Ethan chuckled softly, the sound strange in his own ears. "Deal."

They sat together until the sky turned dark, stars beginning to peek out from behind the clouds. Mira stood up, dusting off her skirt.

"Come on," she said, holding out her hand. "Let's go before we both catch a cold."

He hesitated for half a second before taking her hand. It was warm and steady, grounding him.

As they walked down the stairs together, Ethan felt something shift inside him. It wasn't a big change, just a small step—but it was enough.

The Next Morning

Ethan walked into class earlier than usual. His hands still trembled slightly, but he managed to keep his head up.

Mira was already there, humming to herself as she unpacked her things. When she saw him, she smiled.

"Morning, partner," she said brightly.

He blinked. "Partner?"

"For the story," she said. "I'm in it now, remember?"

He gave a small laugh and nodded. "Right. Partner."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, the classroom didn't feel quite so suffocating.