Nyctophilia

Twenty-Four.

Lilly came to school today. Two days until school is over (I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not; I really don't care).

She sat at my table in the cafeteria. I'm not sure why, but I'm so glad she did.

"Hi," I had said to her quietly.

"Hey," she mumbled back.

I tried to ignore the fact that she clearly looked and acted differently. She was more reserved, and looked around the room like she was afraid someone might be looking at her; her hair wasn't perfectly brushed like it usually was; and she had purple bags under her eyes.

But what surprised me the most was how pale her skin was and how dead her eyes looked. Honestly, it scared me a little, because that isn't Lilly.

"How are you?" I genuinely wanted to know.

"I'm fine. You?" Her voice was clipped, like she was speaking to an elder, rather than her friend (I am her friend, right?).

"I'm okay." I picked up my fork and took a bite of lasagna.

I noticed (without commenting) that she wasn't eating; she'd occasionally take a sip of milk from her carton, but she never touched any of her food.

"So...Why haven't you been coming to school lately?" I asked.

She tucked a strand of light brown hair behind her ear, her eyes darting around the cafeteria. She always does that when she's nervous, and always has.

"Uh." She laughed shortly, and I knew right then that it was fake. "I was sick."

I nodded, acting like I believed her.

After school, I told her we could come to my house and hang out for a little. She looked hesitant, and ended up saying no. I'm going to ask her tomorrow; I'm determined to become her friend again and figure out the answer to this mystery.