A Quiet Afternoon
101 words · under a minute0 resonates
She sits on the concrete
steps behind the lecture
hall.
Across the courtyard,
groups of students cluster
and laugh together.
She watches them while
adjusting the strap of
her bag.
Whenever she tries to
join in, an urge to
pull away takes over.
Her phone vibrates against
her lap.
Are you with your friends?
She remembers her
mother's sadness the
first time she admitted
the truth.
She types out a quick
reply about hanging out
after class.
She locks the phone and
rests her hands on her
knees.
Alone in the shade, she
listens to the voices
drift across the lawn.