you stared down at your phone, your thumb hovering over the message. your heart was loud. too loud. it wasnt even a fight that brought you here just distance. silence where there used to be softness. the kind of hurt that doesnt scream just lingers

i don’t think we should do this anymore.

it was read you watched the three dots appear and vanish then sit there still. it felt like forever before your screen lit up again with billies name

don’t say that.

whatever this is let’s fix it.

you swallowed. your hands were trembling a little. another message came in, longer this time

i know things have been off. maybe i’ve been off. but if you’re hurting, don’t shut me out. let me show up for you. please.

your chest tightened. you blinked fast, trying to keep tears from falling. then your phone rang. it was her. you almost didnt answer but you did

“..hey” her voice was soft, lower than usual like shed just woken up or hadnt slept

you didnt say anything right away. you just listened to the sound of her breathing

“talk to me” dhe whispered “if youre pulling away tell me why. ill listen. ill fight for this. for you”

your throat burned “i just.. i feel like im the only one trying sometimes”

“i know” she said instantly “youre not wrong but thats not because i dont care. ive just been..” she trailed off and you heard her sigh “ive been in my own head and its no excuse. i dont wanna lose you”

there was a quiet beat then she added barely above a whisper “i still think about the first time i kissed you. every day. you ruined me for anything else”

you shut your eyes, a tear slipping out despite yourself “i miss you even when were in the same room. i dont want to keep feeling like im too much”

“youre not too much” she said immediately “youre the only thing that makes me feel enough” and that silenced you

“im coming over” she added “im not letting this be how we end” and you didnt stop her