"Unspoken Truths"

"No, I told you to call me Vesper, dummy," I said, playfully nudging Oslo with my elbow as we walked side by side. Oslo chuckled, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, yeah, I remember now. You're still on that kick, huh?" I grinned, teasing him. "Of course I am. I'm just waiting for you to start answering to it without me having to correct you." Oslo shook his head, laughing. "You're something else, you know that?" As we continued walking, I couldn't help but notice that Oslo seemed a bit more distant than usual, his responses a little slower, his laughter a bit more forced. It was like he was putting on a mask, hiding something beneath the surface. I made a mental note to tread carefully, to try and get him to open up. We had been friends for a long time, and I knew that sometimes he just needed someone to listen. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the campus. We walked in silence for a moment, the tension between us palpable. "So, what's really going on, Vesper?" I asked, my voice low. "You've been acting weird all day, and I can tell it's not just stuff like you said." Oslo's expression changed, his eyes clouding over. For a moment, I thought I saw a flash of fear, but it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference. "I'm fine, Kacchan," he said, his voice neutral. "Just a little stressed out, that's all." I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Stressed out? That's not like you. You're always so calm and collected." Oslo sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Just drop it, okay? I'm fine." But I couldn't drop it. I knew Oslo too well. Something was bothering him, and I was determined to find out what. As we approached the entrance to the student union building, Oslo suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on something across the quad. "What is it?" I asked, following his gaze. But he just shook his head, his expression closing off. "Nothing. Let's just go." I frowned, sensing that there was more to it than he was letting on. But I knew I had to be patient, to wait for the right moment to push him for answers. As we entered the building, Oslo's phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen. "What's wrong?" I asked, noticing the look of concern on his face. Oslo's expression was grim. "I need to go. Now." And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the crowded hallway, wondering what was really going on with my friend.