HIS WILDFIRE

My Heart's Cage

It started with a bruise.

Barely noticeable, just a faint shadow on Ted's cheekbone when I saw him after class. At first, I didn't think much of it, maybe he had bumped into something, maybe it was nothing.

But then, he stopped looking at me.
Stopped meeting my eyes in the hallways. Stopped texting. Stopped being there.

And I didn't know why.

The night before my last exam, I found myself alone in the apartment, scrolling absently through my phone, debating whether or not to text Ted. He hadn't been back to the apartment for two days. He had been acting strange and distant in a way that didn't feel like him.

Then, almost as if the universe had heard my thoughts, my phone lit up with a message.

Ted: We need to talk.

I sat up immediately.

Me: Finally. What's going on with you? Where are you?

Three dots appeared. Then stopped. Then appeared again.

Ted: Meet me outside in 10?

I was already grabbing my hoodie.

I found him leaning against a tree near the apartment, arms crossed, eyes sharp but restless. When he saw me, he tensed like he wasn't sure he had made the right choice.
His hands were shoved into his pockets, his shoulders slightly hunched, like he was bracing for a cold wind that hadn't come yet.

"You look like hell," I said, trying to keep it light.

Ted didn't laugh. He just got closer and embraced me with a hug.
I didn't want him to let go. I just took in his scent, enjoying every part of this.

Silence settled between us, heavy and loaded.

I waited for him to speak.

When he finally did, his voice was soft, almost reluctant. "I wanted to see you."

I raised an eyebrow. "You could've just come to the apartment. Why are you being distant lately?"

His lips twitched, but it wasn't amusement. "Wouldn't have been the same."

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.

"Ted... what's going on?"

He exhaled sharply, looking away. "I just needed to see you, Grandee. That's all."

The way he said my name, like it meant something, like it hurt to say, sent a strange shiver down my spine.

I didn't know what to do with that.

He brushed his hand over his messy brown hair and shoved his hands into the pocket of his black hoodie.

I studied him closely, the way his jaw clenched, the way his fingers twitched like they were holding onto something invisible. He wanted to say more.

But he wouldn't.

Couldn't.

"I should go," he said finally.

"Wait." My voice came out sharper than I intended. "You dragged me out here for what? To say nothing?"

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I saw something raw. Something breaking.

"I wanted to see you," he repeated, voice thick with something I couldn't place. "Be careful and stay safe."

Then, just like that, he turned and walked away.
I was excited to see him but now, I was more worried.

On the day of the last exam, I didn't spot Ted anywhere after the paper.

"Why do you keep looking around?" Suzzy asked

"Ermm... I'm thinking we should go on an ice cream date tomorrow." I let out, ignoring Suzzy's question.

We sat outside, the sun warming our skin, Leo making dramatic declarations about how he didn't do much in every paper, while Suzzy rolled her eyes at him between bites of her crackers.

"You need to relax," she told him. "We all tried our best."

"That's not comforting!" Leo groaned. "You and Grandee are both smart. I'm just here for vibes."

I smirked, taking a bite of Suzzy's crackers. "You'll survive."

"Easy for you to say," he muttered.

I let myself laugh. Let myself enjoy the moment.

But beneath it all, there was a weight in my chest I couldn't shake.

Exams was over and we wouldn't be seeing each other for months.

The next morning, I tried calling Ted.
He didn't pick up.

I tried again.

On the third try... "Hey!"
I felt the excitement in my belly.

"Where are you?" I asked.

Ted was quiet. For a moment I thought the call had ended.

Suddenly, the door opened. It was Ted.
There were lots going on in my mind. I don't know how I felt exactly at that moment.

He moved over and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"I came to get some few essentials to take home." He informed.
I followed him closely as he busied around, grabbing a few stuff and shoving them into a backpack.

He seemed in a rush.
He reached out for the door knob to leave.

"Is that all?" I threw at him.

"Unless you can fit into my backpack." He joked.

I reached out for his hands.

"I will miss you." I confessed.

Ted drew me into a hug. His tall body covering me entirely.

"Whatever happens, I'll be with you." He promised. "Nothing can separate us." He added.

I nodded in confusion.

"I don't know why you've been ignoring my calls and text but this is my private anonymous account on Instagram, we can get in touch." I disclosed as I gently took his phone and had him follow me.

We both didn't want to let go. None of us uttered a word. Just palm in palm until we got to the car park where Ted's truck had been parked.

Ted looked at my face closely, he rubbed his hands over my cheek and planted a soft kiss on my lip.

"I love you, Grandee."
"I- I love you too Ted."
He let out an inaudible gasp with excitement.

I blushed as I walked away, not wanting to hear what he had to say about that.

I was calm now that I had seen Ted and was sure he was well. I hurried back to the room to pack my things to leave the city right after the ice cream date.

Before, I could enter the elevator, I heard a loud bang. It sounded scary.

I retraced my steps to see what was happening out of curiosity.

A heavy duty truck had crushed a smaller truck.

I didn't want to think of it.

I didn't want to believe it.
It was a red truck, hopefully, not Ted's.

The driver reversed the heavy duty truck and sped off almost immediately.

I moved closer. I could barely stand on my feet as I saw Ted's car wrecked completely.