Seven for a Secret

Hugo Marvel arrived home jittery and pleased, if a little damp. His mother was cooking and Evangeline Marvel was playing the piano. Hugo Marvel took the backpack and placed it reverently on his bed. After a moment, he decided that this was too presumptuous and moved it to his desk chair. Another moment passed and he felt his undeserving of such an extraordinary thing. Hugo Marvel couldn't decide where to put Nike Waites' backpack, so instead he wrote her a note.

Bike Girl. I miss you.

He threw the note out and tried again.

Where's your bike, idiot?

He threw that one out too.

I saw a bird get eaten. Made me think of you.

He burned that one so the evidence of his verbal anxiety would never be discovered.

One for sorrow

He kept that one.