like you think that you know me

but in your eyes

I am something worthy

only in your mind

only in your mind

Silence. He didn't speak and she was afraid too. She stared at the floor, hoping to feel his eyes on her head, but it didn't happen. The air had changed. The stifling heat had now become icy cold. Tibby wondered if it was the weather, or her mind. She rubbed her bare arms wishing she'd brought a jacket. It never mattered before because Brian always let her wear his. Now she could sense an inner battle between himself over whether to show his love by giving her his jacket, or leave her freezing to punish her. She knew which one she deserved.

"I'm sorry." she muttered.

The words were barely attached to her as she said them. She wanted to take it back. Then her and Brian could finish their ice cream and walk home, hand in hand as though nothing had ever happened. Their lips joining in a farewell at her door. Her brother and sister begging him to stay for dinner. Just how it used to be. Tibby heard footsteps walking away from her and she finally looked up. Seeing only the back of him left her knees weak. I didn't mean it, she wanted to shout. But she couldn't. She was frozen in her own fear of what would have happened if she had said yes.