Silence. Stillness. Two small, squinting eyes stared forward. Deeply blue. Deeply still.
"Kayla!" Like a rumbling explosion, the silence shattered into eyes that widened in surprise.
"Fuck!" Neatly parted blonde hair smashed into the overhanging tip of a small desk. The tiny particle of dust that Kayla's eyes had been tracking was gone and something had to fill the void. "Why now, Jamie! You miserable-" Kayla started, as she stood up slowly, a hand going to her head to check the damage.
A small, dark face with long, streaming black hair popped into view. "Sorry, Kayla, I-" The face's expression of purpose changed to a mixture of shock and sadness, as the related body moved into sight. "You aren't hurt, are you? Oh, I'm so sorry, Kayla. I just- I hope you're not hurt!"
Kayla's intentions changed in a flash, "It's nothing, Jamie, I was just." Watching a dust particle float across my bedroom, she wanted to say. Even saying it in her head made her feel stupid.
Luckily, Jamie had things on her mind other than questioning the details of her roommate's behavior. "I just wanted to remind you that the test you were asking about is due tomorrow," Said Jamie in a rush, her eyes firmly fixated on the top of Kayla's head.
"The bump is really nothing," Said Kayla, pulling her hand down consciously and flashing a smile that felt like a grimace on her face. "Thanks for letting me know."
"Yeah," Said Jamie forcefully, "I just wanted you to know cause I know you've been having problems with, well," her words hung in the air like a giant dust particle. But this time the silence didn't last. "You know, if you want to talk to someone, you can-"
"Talk to you?" Kayla's words came out automatically.
"Sure!" Said Jamie, her face brightening. "I mean, well, you can talk to a counselor too, if you want. You know our university has good quality people. And I just don't like seeing you like this, Kayla. You know that."
Kayla's face darkened and Jamie's face reddened.
"I mean, it's obviously up to you, you know," Jamie stammered out, her lips beginning to quiver.
"It is up to me," Kayla bit out, before she could stop herself.
Jamie looked devastated.