Tuesday morning came with the same dull hum of chatter and slamming lockers — but his seat was still empty.
That same damn chair by the window.
No sketchbook.
No pencil.
No Ethan.
I tried to tell myself it didn't matter, but my eyes kept drifting there every five seconds like they had a mind of their own.
Mr. Lewis walked in, dropping his files on the desk. "Alright class, let's settle—"
Then he paused, glanced at the window seat, and frowned slightly before continuing.
That tiny pause did something to me.
Like the world noticed his absence — and it made my chest tighten.
When class ended, I stopped by his desk. My fingers brushed the surface lightly. Cold. Empty. Still smelled faintly like graphite and aftershave.
Maya caught me staring. "You're acting weird again."
I ignored her and walked straight up to Mr. Lewis before I could change my mind.
"Sir… do you know where Ethan is?"
He looked up from his papers. "Ethan Gray?"
"Yes."
He hesitated. "He hasn't been in since Friday. I sent an email to the office — they said his guardian called. Something about… taking some days off."
"Taking days off?" I repeated, frowning. "Why?"
"I'm not sure," Mr. Lewis said. "But I hope he's okay." Then he looked at me — really looked at me — and added quietly, "You and your friends should probably ease up a little next time, Miss Blake."
My throat went dry. "Yes, sir."
By lunchtime, I couldn't concentrate. The cafeteria noise felt too loud, the laughter too fake. I grabbed my phone and opened the school contact board — the one with emergency numbers. His guardian's name was listed: Mrs. Gray.
No address. Just a number.
I hesitated for almost five minutes before pressing call.
It rang. Once. Twice. Then a woman's tired voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi, um… this is Aria. I'm in the same class as Ethan."
There was silence on the line — long and uneasy.
"Oh," she finally said. "You're one of his classmates."
"Yes, ma'am. I just… wanted to ask if he's okay."
Another pause. Then she sighed softly.
"He's been under a lot of stress lately. The school environment hasn't been very kind to him."
The words hit like a slap. I couldn't even breathe for a second.
"He's… alright, I guess," she continued. "But he's staying home for now. He doesn't want to talk to anyone from school."
I swallowed. "Can you please tell him that… that someone asked about him?"
"I will."
Then the line went dead.
I stood there, phone still in my hand, heart beating way too fast.
He didn't want to talk to anyone from school.
Which meant… me too.
I left the cafeteria and went outside. The wind was cold, sharp against my skin. I walked to the old bike racks — the same place he used to draw — and sat there for a while, staring at the empty ground.
Maya found me later, sitting alone.
"Aria, what's going on with you lately?" she asked softly.
I looked up at her, forcing a half-smile.
"Nothing. Just… tired of the noise."
But deep down, I knew what it really was.
For the first time since I started playing this stupid game, it didn't feel like I'd won anything.