And then she was falling.

Her head tilted to the side even as her eyes rolled back and her knees buckled, and in an instant, she was collapsed on the ground, arms splayed.

The boy who had tried to catch her kneeled by her side, worry etched onto his face.

His eyebrows were furrowed, his lips parted, and his eyes were pooled with concern.

His hands rested gently on her shoulders, delicate, almost as if he were afraid to touch her.

Almost as if she might break if he did.

The whisper of her name lingered on his lips, begging her to respond.

But she did not.

Not this time.