Christopher noticed it first in the smallest ways.
The way Leo walked closer than usual.
The way Evan stared a second too long.
The way sofee suddenly laughed louder whenever Christopher spoke.
Something had shifted.
And the worst part?
He didn't know who had noticed what.
Lunch break.
Christopher sat on the steps with Leo and Evan, blazer off,tie loosened--his usual I-dont- care-but -I-do look.
Leo nudged him with his shoulder.
"You've been smiling lately. "
Christopher frowned. "Have I ?"
Evan smirked ." Yeah .like ...distracted-smiling. "
Christopher rolled his eyes. "You guys imagine things. "
Leo didn't laugh.
Instead, he looked down at his hands ,voice casual but too careful.
"People smile when something finally makes sense."
Christopher turned toward him."what's that supposed to mean ?"
Leo shrugged. "Nothing."
But his ears were red.
Across the courtyard, Zia sat with her friends.
Sofee was unusually close today--head almost resting on Zia's shoulder, eyes fixed somewhere else.
"Christopher looks different, "Sofee said suddenly.
Zia stiffened. "Different how ?"
"Clamer.like he's found something. "
Zia kept her gaze on her book."Or someone"
Sofee smiled--but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I hope whoever it is knows how lucky she is."
Zia closed the book slowly.
"So do I."
Jason walked past them then --tall,confident, senior class badge shining.
He glanced at Zia,then at Christopher.
His jaw tightened.
That night,Christopher sat on his bed,the folded note from Zia still in his pocket.
He took it out again.
Read it.
Folded it back.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown (saved as :Z )
Tomorrow .same time ?Not the storeroom.
Christopher typed back slowly.
Where no one looks.
Three dots appeared .
Then vanished.
Then one message:
Exactly.
Christopher lay back ,staring at the ceiling.
Family drama .
Friends noticing.
Lines blurring.
And yet---
For the first time in his life,
he wasn't running.