{Elira}
~**^**~
Water ran for a few more seconds, then stopped. Their laughter drifted away with the squeak of the restroom door as it closed behind them.
Silence returned.
My breath hitched, then broke apart again.
I leaned my forehead against the stall door, fresh tears spilling. My throat felt raw, my chest heavy and aching.
Even if the hall was now empty, even if no one could see, the weight of their words settled deep inside me, feeding every doubt I had.
Hidden there, behind the cold metal door, I let myself cry until there was nothing left in me except the hollow echo of what I couldn't become.
---
I didn't know how long I sat there, curled up in that stall, but my eyes burned and my chest ached from crying too hard for too long.
I hadn't even realized my phone had buzzed until it lit up against the floor beside my feet.
Lennon's name glowed on the screen.
My heart lurched.
