Absent

Tiffany’s eyes darted to the clock for the hundredth time that afternoon, her stomach twisting as she registered the empty seat beside her. Two days. Jacob had been absent for two whole days now. She forced her gaze back to the textbook in front of her, but the words blurred together. Her pencil tapped an anxious rhythm on the desk. “Miss Foster, is there a problem?” Mrs. Hawthorne’s stern voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. Tiffany’s cheeks flushed. “No, ma’am. Sorry.” As the teacher resumed her lecture, she tried to focus, but her mind kept wandering back to Jacob. Where was he? Was he okay? Stop it, she chided herself. It’s not like he’s your boyfriend or anything. You’re just friends.That’s all. But even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t true. At least, not for her. Somehow, without her permission, Jacob had become more than just a friend. His absence left an ache in her chest that she couldn’t quite explain. Tiffany sighed, resting her chin in her hand. It’s probably not