That evening, Ariana stayed in bed longer than usual.
Her stomach cramps were worse, and she had zero energy to study.
Her phone lit up again.
UnknownUser: I have a solution.
She stared at the message.
SilentStar15: To what?
UnknownUser: Your "everything is annoying" situation.
She rolled onto her side.
SilentStar15: This better be good.
UnknownUser: Step one: chocolate.
Her eyebrows lifted.
SilentStar15: Already done.
UnknownUser: Step two: blanket.
She glanced at the blanket around her.
SilentStar15: Covered.
UnknownUser: Step three: no serious conversations.
She almost laughed.
SilentStar15: So what do we talk about?
UnknownUser: Tell me the most embarrassing thing Lily has done.
Her irritation slowly faded.
She thought for a second.
SilentStar15: She once waved at someone who wasn't waving at her.
UnknownUser: That's normal.
SilentStar15: She kept waving for five seconds.
He replied instantly—
UnknownUser: Respect her confidence.
Ariana laughed properly this time.
The sound surprised even her.
Her stomach still hurt.
She was still uncomfortable.
But she wasn't irritated anymore.
After a few minutes—
UnknownUser: You sound better.
She blinked.
SilentStar15: I didn't send a voice note.
UnknownUser: You type differently when you're smiling.
Her fingers paused.
Again with that.
How did he notice small changes like that?
SilentStar15: Stop noticing everything.
UnknownUser: Can't help it.
Her chest felt unexpectedly warm.
Not romantic.
Not intense.
Just… comforting.
She typed slowly—
SilentStar15: Today was just one of those days.
Pause.
UnknownUser: I figured.
She didn't ask how.
She didn't need to.
He didn't ask too many questions.
Didn't make it awkward.
Didn't say dramatic things.
He just stayed.
Talking about random topics.
Memes.
Food.
How math teachers look angry even when they're not.
For nearly fifteen minutes, she forgot about the cramps.
Forgot about the irritation.
Forgot about everything.
Before logging off, she typed—
SilentStar15: Thanks.
Pause.
UnknownUser: For?
She thought for a second.
Then—
SilentStar15: For distraction.
The reply came softer this time.
UnknownUser: Anytime.
She placed her phone beside her pillow.
Her day had started heavy.
But it didn't end that way.
And maybe—
That was what mattered.
Not grand gestures.
Not big confessions.
Just someone who could make her laugh on a bad day.
And for now—
That was enough.