He’d dragged me down the alley before I could say anything. He stared at me through his dark hair, as though I’d tell him just from the oceanic gaze.

“Alright, Madii. Tell me what’s wrong.” His voice was light and comforting, but still his eyes begged. Did I matter this much? I thought I saw tears, but it was probably my imagination.

“Nothing,” I lied. I’ve just missed you sorely for the last three years of my life and didn’t realize it until now. But was that all? Now I really wasn’t sure. I recapped the last few months to see if anything could have upset me like this.

“Are you sure?” He’d climbed onto a low wall and was sitting. I joined him, moving my bag onto the other side.

“Not really. I’m not entirely sure what’s wrong with me.” I was being honest now, or at least I’d convinced myself I was. His head tilted, as though he didn’t believe me.

“Anything going on at home?” Kosy was going to get an answer out of me, one way or the other. He’d decided that.