FRIENDSHIP

Delilah stood by the table, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape, as if she were replaying the moment over and over in her mind.

"She… hates me, doesn't she?" she finally whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

I didn't respond immediately. I took a sip of my now lukewarm coffee.

"She doesn't hate you," I replied, still focused on my cup. "Maybe she really doesn't feel you right."

Delilah blinked, caught off guard, unsure whether my words were meant to soothe her or to reprimand her. Maybe it was a bit of both.

"I was just trying to be nice," she said quietly.

"Yeah," I replied. "I know but there is nothing we can do she really wants to be alone."

She frowned but didn't push back. Instead, she mumbled something about having homework and slipped away, disappearing into the crowd just like Elise had.

I finished my coffee in silence.

By the time I made it back to the dorm, the sun was already dipping toward the horizon, casting a long shadow that stretched across the hallway floors.

My room was as quiet as ever. I dropped my bag, kicked off my shoes, and flopped down onto the bed.

I found myself staring at the ceiling for what felt like ages.

What was I thinking, going along with that café invite? Why did I even bring her?

So dumb.

"I knew it was a bad idea to go there." I whispered

That moment revealed more about Elise than a dozen conversations ever could. She didn't run away. She just shut the door.

I was still confused on her action instead of talking, maybe telling Delilah to stop trying to talk with her she went for the silent treatment and got out of the cafe.

"I shouldn't worry myself about that."

THE NEXT DAY

The classroom buzzed with noise again. Elise sat in her seat, book in hand, head down, lost in her music with earphones on. Delilah stole a few glances her way but didn't make a move to talk to her.

I settled into my chair and tapped my pen lightly against the desk twice.

Elise didn't even flinch.

Then, without looking my way, she pulled one earbud out.

"You planning to apologize for dragging me into that mess?"

"I had no idea she'd show up."

"I did."

A moment of silence hung between us.

"Looks like we both misjudged someone."

She turned her gaze toward me. "So this is how you play huh."

"What does that mean?"

"Oh nothing."

And just like that, she slipped her earbud back in. The class continued on, as if nothing had ever happened.

I didn't say anything back.

Honestly, there was nothing I could say that wouldn't just make things messier. She already had the answer to her question. Maybe she was just curious about how I'd respond.

But I didn't respond.

I just kept tapping my pen.

Once.

Twice.

Pause.

Then I stopped.

During break, Delilah didn't come over. She sat by the window all by herself, pretending to read, but I could see she wasn't really paying attention to the words. Her gaze wandered every now and then to Elise, to me, then back to the page she hadn't flipped in ten minutes.

I stayed put. Elise had disappeared again, probably tucked away in some quiet corner of the library with her earphones in.

The awkward triangle between us was starting to feel stifling.

I let out a quiet sigh.

Later that afternoon, as the final bell rang and everyone began to pack up, Delilah caught up to me by the lockers.

"Hey..." she said, standing a bit awkwardly a step away, her fingers twisting the strap of her bag. "Did I really mess everything up?"

I hesitated before answering. I opened my locker, grabbed my notes, and closed it softly.

"You didn't mess anything up," I replied. "She's just... complicated."

Delilah let out a soft laugh, tinged with bitterness. "Guess that makes two of you."

"Huh."

I turned to look at her, and for once, there was no smile on her face. Not even a half-hearted one.

"You both are complicated like some sort of twin drama."

She walked away without waiting for my response. I didn't follow.

"What the hell was that?"

That evening, I decided to take the long route back to the dorms. The wind was biting, tugging at my sleeves as I wandered. I found myself near the rooftop stairs something I'd been doing a lot lately. It was the one spot where people usually left me alone.

When I pushed open the rooftop door, I wasn't shocked to see her there.

Elise was leaning against the railing, her coat wrapped tightly around her, and for once, her earphones were out.

She didn't turn to look at me.

"You know you're not supposed to be up here," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"I could say the same to you," she shot back, her gaze locked on the clouds drifting above the setting sun.

Silence hung in the air.

Then, without glancing my way, she asked, "Was I too cruel?"

I stepped closer and leaned against the railing next to her, my eyes on the sky instead of her.

"No," I replied. "You were just honest. That's who you are. You didn't pretend to smile or sugarcoat anything."

She exhaled sharply almost like a scoff.

"People can't stand that about me. That I don't know how to play nice."

"They can't stand it because it's genuine," I said. "Most folks would rather hear pretty lies."

Elise crossed her arms tighter, her eyes scanning the horizon as if she were anticipating a storm only she could sense.

"Pretending to care… that's worse than not caring at all."

"You think Delilah's just pretending?"

She didn't respond.

The wind picked up again, lifting strands of her hair. The silence lingered, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Just cold. Like standing next to a glass wall, wondering what might be on the other side.

I could have walked away. Most people would have.

But I didn't.

Not every connection needs to be warm. Some are built on the unspoken bond. On the choice to simply stand beside someone who never asks for anything.

And for tonight… maybe that was enough.