The Shadow Of Us

The college cafeteria was a roar of voices and clattering trays, but for Bri, the world was silent except for one sound Jazzy’s laugh.

Bri had stayed back to talk to a professor, and when she finally walked into the cafe, she saw Jazzy already there. Jazzy was surrounded by a group of people, her back turned to the door. She threw her head back, laughing at something a guy in the group said.

Who is she with? Bri thought, her chest tightening. That laugh. Why is she wasting it on them? You never laughed like that with me. Stop laughing with them. Look at me. Why won't you look at me?

"Hey! Earth to Bri!" Vera snapped her fingers in front of Bri’s face. "You’ve been staring at the back of Jazzy's head for ten minutes. You’re going to burn a hole in her skull."

Bri blinked, her expression shifting instantly into a sweet, breezy mask. "Oh!! Sorry, Vera. I was just... I was actually just thinking about how much better her new haircut looks than mine. She’s so effortlessly pretty, isn’t she?"

Vera frowned, unimpressed. "I guess. But Bri, you’ve been acting a bit... intense lately. Especially after she told you she didn't want to join our study group yesterday. Are you sure you're okay?"

Bri’s voice trembled slightly. "I’m fine. Truly. I just... I get so overwhelmed sometimes. I probably just annoyed her. I’m too much, aren’t I? I’m always too much for people."

"No! Don’t say that," Vera said softly. "You’re my best friend. I love how much you care about things."

Bri reached out, grabbing Vera’s hand with a desperate grip. "Do you? Do you really? Because everyone else eventually gets tired of me. They always leave. You’re the only one who stays. You’d never leave me, right?"

Vera laughed gently, squeezing her hand back. "Of course not! I’ll always be here for you. I promise."

Bri stared at her, her eyes dark. Everyone says that. Until they find someone better. Until they find a reason to run. I have to take the reasons away. "Okay," Bri whispered.