The Reader Behind My Words

ge girl, had always believed th

on the other hand, waited patiently. They didn't rush you. They didn't judge the pauses b

y spent most of he

never demanded that she be louder than she was. They didn't ask her to change the softness of he

evening when the

sely tied back as the sun dipped beyond the window. The house was unusually quiet. Her

ng from one app to another, not really looking

d the student w

her fingers remembered something her mind hadn't consciously chosen. The app lo

earn to Breat

rowned s

and heavy, like a confession whispered into the dark. S

s she loved. But by the third paragraph, Purity'

e fit, of smiling because it was easier than explaining the sadness behind it. Of

topped s

the lines again-slower this time. Careful. Like she

ptiness. But sometimes, silence is

eath c

up on

ver been able to say out loud. The way she stayed quiet in class even when she knew the answers. The way she listen

lightly against her chest

username was unfamiliar. There is no pro

aching

d the end of the story

-not yet-but f

e. But this one felt different. This one didn't feel written for an audience.

led back

it

a thir

ly steadied did she notice th

. No likes.

sil

wasn't l

y hes

a story before. Never felt brave enough. Words were safe when they

said the w

e ruined t

iter didn't wa

er, standing up abruptly as if distance

ced th

back

p the ph

cked

back to t

d," she whispe

eel stupid. It

real. And Purity knew-knew-what it felt like

arefully,

writing this. It felt like you understood

ed at th

ted

d ag

made me fee

us

d one la

ou keep

f she had just confess

change her mind

ared instantly b

Her words. Pub

dropped it onto the bed, cove

u just do?"

es pa

e.

ed at he

th

ppointment tang

usually reply. Especially anonymous ones. Es

lay back, staring at the ceiling

y, Purity moved throu

directly asked. Laughed softly at jokes, she half-heard. She didn't notice the boy two rows be

he way his phone bu

y his eyes widened wh

ty prepared for bed

n

ed, picki

n from the wr

tilled as sh

ave a

mbled as she ta

ould understand it like

u for se

uietly-like a secret sh

yped

story that began in si

knowingly, fou