The boy stirred slightly and muttered in a faint, weak voice, "Y-yeah… I'm fine."
Alice didn't believe that for a second.
Kneeling beside him, she gently held out her hand and asked softly, "What happened to you? Did someone… do this to you?"
The boy glanced at her hand, then looked away. "Don't worry about me," he said with a tired sigh, brushing off her offer as he slowly pushed himself to his feet. "I'll be fine. I'm… already used to it."
He dusted the dirt off his clothes as best he could, still avoiding her eyes. Then, with a faint smile that didn't quite reach his face, he added, "But… thank you for worrying about me."
And just like that, he turned and walked away, his steps unsteady but determined.
Alice remained where she was, watching him disappear down the street. A quiet ache settled in her chest. She wanted to help.. really help.. but didn't know how. And now it felt like her kindness hadn't been enough.
She stood there for a long moment, the breeze brushing past her.
[Later – Alice's House]
The door creaked open as Alice stepped inside. She slipped off her shoes and gently tucked them into the corner, her movements slower than usual. Without a word, she made her way toward the staircase.
Just as she placed her foot on the first step, a soft voice called from the living room.
"Oh, Alice.. welcome back."
Alice glanced over and saw her mother sitting on the couch, knitting a small piece of fabric. Her expression was warm and welcoming, the room lit with the golden hue of a nearby lamp.
Alice offered a small nod, but said nothing, and continued up the stairs.
Once inside her room, she dropped her bag onto the chair beside the bed and, without even turning on the light, flopped face-first into the mattress.
She reached for her pillow and hugged it close, turning her face so her right cheek rested against it... staring quietly at the closed door.
Her voice came out in a whisper, barely audible in the stillness of the room.
"Did I… do something wrong? I just wanted to help."
Her fingers gripped the edge of the pillow a little tighter.
"I wish I'd said more… or done something better," she murmured, the feeling of helplessness growing heavier on her chest.
Then suddenly, she buried her face deeper into the pillow and let out a muffled, frustrated cry
"Aaaaah! Why is this bothering me so much?!"
She kicked her legs lightly against the bed in quiet protest... upset not with the boy, but with herself. She didn't know why his pain lingered in her mind, but it did… and it wouldn't leave.
[7:05 AM – Morning]
Alarm beeping…
Soft sunlight filtered through the corners of the window, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Outside, birds chirped gently, their morning songs blending with the faint rustling of leaves.
Alice stirred beneath her blanket, her eyes fluttering open. She let out a sweet, quiet yawn and stretched her arms above her head, the blanket slipping off her shoulders.
Still half-asleep, she reached over and tapped the alarm clock to silence it. The room returned to peaceful stillness.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood up and padded quietly toward the bathroom. The sound of running water and the soft brushing of teeth filled the next few minutes as she freshened up for the day.
Afterward, she returned to her room, wiping her face with a towel, and walked to her wardrobe to pick out her clothes for college.
Just as she was slipping into her outfit, a familiar voice floated up from downstairs:
"Alice, come down breakfast is ready!"
She paused, gave a small smile, and began to tidy her things, getting ready to head down.