#tiny scene

Tiny mushrooms, an acorn, and lichen amongst a blanket of moss covering the forest floor.

Aug. 14th, 2023

St. Louis County, Missouri, USA

Olivia R. Myers

Thank you for sending this, dear ^^. From this list.

Not today

"Are you sure you didn't want to mention something to me?"

Skye stops in her tracks and leans on the wall beside her. Was she not allowed to cry on her own anymore? Did he really need to know everything, be there every time she was about to break for something?

"It's fine. It's stupid. It doesn't matter."

I have these emotions, and I don't like them.

He doesn't approach closer, but the tension is bizarre, like gray sky at midday.

"You can tell me anything."

She tilts her head backwards and cracks a laugh. Somehow she is always smiling or laughing when she wants to cry. People hate that. People don't understand that. What is there to laugh about? Are you okay or are you making fun of a serious situation?

I don't want you to see them.

He steps a bit closer. Runs his hands along her hands. Then kisses the back of her neck.

She doesn't move or turn back.

I don't need you to save me.

"Okay. You don't have to tell me. But I'm here and I care and you can always come to me with anything."

And he walks away. The wave of relief that crashes over her almost knocks her of her feet. She feels bad about how good it feels.

But she needs that. The opening, the possibility, the offer. The kiss on her neck feels like a promise, a reassurance, an invitation.

Thank you for letting me not take it today.

It's impressive he can see through her smiles and disguises, that he can tell a bad mood from a serious one. But she isn't ready to give him that peak behind the curtains yet.

But that offer means a lot. So as she walks away, closes the door on her room, she knows he is there, waiting in the living room and will only leave at evening, sleep with his phone next to his ear today, that he is available and there, if she calls.