He looked at me, and something I couldn’t read was in his eyes. I was scared. He never looked at me like that. I took his hand. I could feel it tense. What was wrong with him? The laughter in his eyes had completely vanished.

“What?” I asked, my heart in my throat. He didn’t answer. He looked away. “What?” I repeated. Still not making eye contact, he shrugged. I let go of his hands. I turned away from him, feeling the tears sting the back of my eyes. I slowly started walking away. I prayed that he would call my name. But nothing came.

I stopped. I had to. I turned around. He was looking away, wringing his hands nervously. Too proud to walk back to him, I turned around again, and started walking, faster this time, as though if I slowed down, I’d walk back. I didn’t want to see that look in his eyes. It scared me, and I didn’t want to think about… about… what was really going on in his mind.

I heard his voice behind me. He was calling my name. My heart pounding, I turned around quickly.