[i...the feeling of guilt and regret i have for leaving this story for however long is so overwhelming that i can't put it into words. so...i'm sorry. and please forgive me!]

hey, can we talk?

the text had been swimming in peter's mind for what felt like hours, though it couldn't have been more than a slow minute. his fingers deftly typed out a response:

what's wrong?

lucy replied swiftly.

nothing's wrong, why?

the sigh of relief that left his lungs was a great one.

i think it's universally known that the "hey, can we talk" sentence is one that comes bearing trouble.

oh, petey, i didn't have you worried, did i?

peter drew a sharp breath and his heart skipped a beat. he'd heard her say it before, but seeing it in writing was surreal. she'd called him petey.

no...just a little nervous.

whatever you say.

um what did you need to tell me?

oh yeah...

what is it?

it took her a few minutes to respond, during which peter's cheeks began to heat up and he had to put down his phone to stop his hands from shaking. oh, the effect she had on him. when her text came in, it was surprisingly—and disappointingly—short:

it's nothing. i had a question for you, but...i answered it myself.

oh...okay

really everything's fine. it's okay.

well what what the question?

it's like i said. i answered it for myself so there's really no point in asking you.

are you sure?

it's a school night, buddy. time for me to study up and go to bed. you should too.

okay...see you at school?

that depends.

on what?

how closely you pay attention to the background.

peter leaned back on his bed and turned off his phone, tossing it onto a nearby pile of blankets. although she'd dismissed it, he couldn't help but wonder what the question had been.

for both of them had secrets, but neither wanted to share.

[hey hey! i'm feeling a little better after writing this so yeah hope you enjoyed!]