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'I'm fine.'
Charlie stared at the screen, her heart sinking as she read the message again. That's all he said. No apology for worrying her, no explanation for why he'd gone silent. Just those two words, clipped and distant, like a door shutting in her face.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she caught herself spiraling into frustration. What was she expecting? He didn't owe her anything—she knew that. But still, the ache in her chest didn't care about logic. She had failed to see he wasn't okay before, so why should he open up to her now?
The soft hum of chatter in the shop faded into the background as Charlie glanced out the window. Johnny and Robby were outside, gesturing animatedly at some guy who looked more confused than helpful. They were pointing toward the car like it was some kind of exhibit at a museum. She shook her head with a small huff and turned her attention back to her phone.
Her thumb hovered over the keyboard before she started typing. Can you tell me where you are, please? The words felt too formal, too desperate, but she couldn't bring herself to rewrite them. She bit down on her nail as she hit send, anxiety bubbling in her stomach like soda fizz. The cashier handed over her snack with a polite smile, and Charlie muttered a quick "thanks" before stepping outside.
The moment she pushed through the door, chaos greeted her. Johnny and Robby were shouting, their voices sharp against the air as they sprinted after the car—a car that was now being dragged away down the street.
"Seriously?" Charlie called out, half-laughing as the two gave up the chase, panting and bent over with their hands on their knees.
Charlie shook her head, but any amusement she felt evaporated when her phone buzzed in her hand. A notification from Miguel lit up the screen. Her stomach twisted as she opened it, already bracing herself for disappointment. Her smile faded instantly.
Johnny wandered over with Robby trailing behind him, both of them peering curiously at her phone. Johnny pointed at it with his usual lack of subtlety, "That Miguel?"
"Yep," Charlie muttered under her breath.
The three of them stared down at the screen together. The message was short—too short—but it might as well have been shouting at her.
I'm fine, Charlie.
Once again no explanation, no reassurance, just those same two words that felt colder every time she read them. She swallowed hard and shoved the phone back into her pocket before either of them could say anything else. "Let's just go," she said quickly, walking ahead of them without waiting for a response.
But even as they followed behind her, joking and bickering like nothing had happened, Charlie couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in her chest—the sense that fine was just another way of saying not even close.
