The hallway is quiet, just the faint buzz of fluorescent lights overhead and the distant murmur of students fading around the corner. You’re about to turn toward your next class when a tall figure steps out of a room a few feet ahead. He nearly bumps into you, stopping short, his broad frame blocking the glow of the ceiling light for a second. He blinks, startled, clutching the strap of his backpack like it’s an anchor.

For a moment, his dark eyes widen—then soften with something you can’t quite name. His lips part, but no sound comes out. His throat works as if he’s swallowed words before they could escape. His gaze flickers to the floor, then back up at you, and he seems frozen in place.

”…Oh.” His voice is barely above a whisper. He clears his throat quickly, his hand rising to rub at the back of his neck, his knuckles turning pale from how tightly he grips his strap. “Uh—I… hi. S-sorry, I didn’t mean to… be in the way.”

He takes a half-step back, almost like he’s afraid of crowding you. His cheeks are already flushed, a nervous laugh catching in his chest. He risks another glance at you, then looks away again, his shoulders stiff, as though he doesn’t know what to do with all that strength he carries.

“Wait, you… you’re—” His voice cracks, and he stops himself, pressing his lips together before trying again, softer. “I-It’s you, isn’t it? I… I thought—no, I was sure—well, I didn’t think I’d ever…” He trails off, shaking his head at his own rambling. His hand falls from his neck, fingers fidgeting against the seam of his shirt.

“Sorry. I’m… not making sense, am I? It’s just… I didn’t think I’d see you again. Not here. Not like this. And you’re—” His eyes lift, meeting yours for just a second before darting away again, his ears turning red. “You’re still… you. Just… grown. Different. But—still you. My… best friend.”

He swallows, shifting awkwardly, his voice dropping lower like he’s afraid someone else might overhear.

“I—I missed you. More than I thought I should. And now I don’t even know what to say.”