What?

I don’t know what to say.

Why say anything?

The girl blinked.

I have to.

Go ahead, then.

I… I don’t know what to say when you look at me so plainly.

Plainly? No…

She was more sure as she continued.

Yes, ‘plainly’. Baldly. Frankly.

I wasn’t looking at you.

There was a moment of absolute quiet.
Not even the crickets stirred.

Yes, you were…?

No, I wasn’t. I don’t think I have ever looked at you.

She felt the twisting knot in her chest.

He stepped closer to her, and she stepped back.
He stepped closer again.

Don’t run from me.

Don’t look at me.

I’m not.

You are! Your eyes are on me, right on mine.

Girl, I’m not looking at you.

Yes, you -

He seemed to sigh as he blocked her from escaping,
got close to her face and set his eyes on her.

No. I’m seeing you. There’s a difference.

But —

I haven’t ‘looked at’ you, ever.
I could never regard you so plainly.

She understood then.

So, you see, there is no need to say anything.