Windsor Academy – Dorm Room, 7:18 AM
Leon woke up to silence.
No alarm, no footsteps from the hallway, no Evelyn knocking on the door pretending she "forgot her sketchbook." Just the faint hum of the heating system and the ticking clock above the desk.
The side of the room where she usually stood—laughing, arguing, sketching—was empty.
He sat up slowly, like moving too fast might break something inside him.
Across the room, Felix was already up, eating a protein bar and scrolling on his phone. "Morning, emo prince," he muttered.
Leon didn't respond.
"Still not talking? I miss Evelyn already, and I only liked her half as much as you do."
Leon gave a weak smile. "You liked her?"
"She had snacks. That's love, bro."
Leon rolled his eyes and dragged himself into the bathroom. As he splashed cold water on his face, he caught his own reflection—eyes a bit duller, lips a bit tighter.
He looked like someone who'd been left behind.
Windsor Academy – Art Studio, 11:42 AM
Evelyn's easel was still there.
Leon stood in front of it, not touching anything. Her latest painting was unfinished—half a skyline, half a face. Like she couldn't decide whether she missed the city or someone in it.
He traced the dried paint with his eyes.
The silence in the studio wasn't peaceful. It was too loud with everything unsaid.
His fingers itched to pick up a brush. To finish it for her.
But he didn't.
He wasn't an artist.
He was just someone she left.
Text Message Drafts – Unsent
11:00 AM: Landed okay?
12:13 PM: Felix misses your snacks. So do I.
1:44 PM: I saw your painting. It's still waiting for you.
3:02 PM: Me too. I miss you too.
4:25 PM: [No text. Just a blinking cursor.]
He never pressed send.
He didn't know why.
Maybe he was afraid she wouldn't reply.
Maybe he was afraid she would.
Windsor Academy – Library, 5:06 PM
"Hey," a soft voice said behind him.
Leon turned.
It was Clara—the quiet girl from literature class. She always wore oversized hoodies and smelled like lemon tea.
"I heard Evelyn left," she said gently.
"Yeah," Leon said.
"I'm sorry. I know you two were… close."
Leon didn't correct her.
She sat down across from him and opened a poetry book. After a pause, she slid it toward him and pointed to a line.
"Sometimes silence is louder than a scream."
He blinked.
"Thought of you," she whispered, smiling a little.
He gave her a nod. Just that.
But it felt like something.
That Night – Dorm Room, 11:59 PM
Leon lay on his bed, phone in hand.
No message from Evelyn.
No call.
Just that same blinking cursor.
Felix snored softly on the other side of the room, mumbling something about tacos in his sleep.
Leon stared at the ceiling again.
Then, finally, he opened his messages.
Leon: Still alive over there?
He hit send.
Immediately regretted it.
Then didn't.
New Message – 12:01 AM
Evelyn: Barely. Everyone's loud. My roommate snores. Museum tour tomorrow. Wish you were here.
Leon smiled.
Then typed:
Leon: I wish I was too.
He stared at the three dots as she typed back.
Evelyn: Don't go too quiet on me, okay? I need your silence. But the kind that's near.
His chest tightened.
He whispered into the darkness again, softer this time.
"I'm trying."
And for the first time since she left…
He slept.