You noticed before anyone else.
The tiny pauses.
The way she’d swap words for simpler ones.
Or repeat something someone said instead of answering directly.
You didn’t call it out. You adjusted.
Now, in groups—
you stay close.
Not obvious.
Just… there.
So when she needs it, you can quietly bridge the gap.
⸻
The room’s loud.
Too many voices overlapping.
Too many conversations happening at once.
She’s sitting beside you— shoulder just barely touching yours. Grounding.
Her posture is relaxed. Looks normal.
But you feel it— the way her fingers tap once against her leg.
A small signal.
You glance at her.
She’s watching someone talk.
Nodding at the right times. But her eyes flick to you—
just for a second. That look.
’Check me.’
You lean in slightly. Barely noticeable.
“Topic’s about classes,” you murmur under your breath.
“Midterms.”
She nods once.
Subtle.
Like she already knew.
⸻
Across the circle— someone turns to her.
“Wait, what did you get on that bio assignment again?”
She pauses. A second too long.
Most people wouldn’t notice. You do.
Her eyes flick to you again. Quick.
You answer before it stretches.
“She did good—like high 80s.”
You say it casually. Like you’re just chiming in.
She nods.
“Yeah.”
Smooth.
Conversation moves on.
No one questions it.
⸻
A few minutes later— Someone’s telling a story.
“…and then he started arguing about the contract, like fully misunderstanding the terms—”
You feel her shift slightly beside you.
Not big. Just enough.
Her hand brushes yours. A quiet cue.
You lean in again.
“Contract = agreement.”
You whisper.
“Like rules.”
She exhales softly through her nose. Nods once.
Then back to listening.
⸻
Later—
you’re both quieter.
Letting others carry the conversation.
Her knee bumps yours lightly.
She leans closer.
Not obvious to anyone else.
“…what’s ‘terms’.”