**Across the Glass**

Prompt: A disoriented girl was leaning her head against the transparent door until her crush on the other side came to her side

The dull hum of the fluorescent lights seemed to fade into the background as Ellie pressed her forehead against the chilly surface of the glass door. Outside, students trickled by, their laughter mingling with snippets of conversation as they headed to their lockers or the playground. She remained still, wrapped in her disorientation, feeling as if she were in a bubble, separate from the world around her. Ellie had always been an observer rather than a participant. She was the girl who captured moments in her mind, silently painting vivid pictures of the lives playing out before her. But today was different. Today, her heart felt heavy, burdened by a tangle of emotions that left her feeling fragile and exposed. Her gaze drifted aimlessly as she watched the bustling crowd outside. They were a blur of colors—hints of blue, green, and red darting to and fro, vibrant and alive while she felt like a monochrome portrait, drained of all enthusiasm. She exhaled slowly, her breath fogging the glass in a small, circular pattern. It reminded her of the way she used to breathe on the old windows at her grandmother’s house, watching the mist swirl and then vanish. Once again, she glanced through the transparent door, allowing her eyes to settle on him. Jake, her crush, stood a few feet away, casually leaning against a locker, surrounded by friends who laughed and joked. He was everything she admired: kind, funny, and undeniably charming. Today, though, there was an intensity in his expression as he listened to a story, his attention unwavering. A part of Ellie longed to be part of that world beneath the laughter, to share in those moments—but the gnawing self-doubt twisted in her gut. She drew her head back from the cold barrier, an ounce of resolve surging through her. Could she go out there, break through the fog of her own insecurities? The risk of rejection loomed large, but right now, it felt worse to remain here in isolation. Ellie took a deep breath and pushed the door open, the familiar creak of the hinges punctuating her uncertainty. The noise caught Jake’s attention, and he turned to face her, a smile unfurling like morning light. His blue eyes sparkled with something that made her heart race. Was it friendliness? Was it something more? “Ellie,” he called out, the sound of her name a pleasant melody that danced through the lingering haze in her mind. “Hey,” she managed to reply, her voice trembling as she stepped into the wider world. The chatter continued around them, but in this moment, it felt as though a spotlight shone only on her and him. “Everything okay?” he asked, adjusting his posture as he stepped closer, his friends gradually fading into the background. It was a typical question, laden with genuine concern, but to Ellie, it felt monumental—a tiny bridge built from his warmth toward her. “Yeah, I just… needed some air,” she lied, even as the truth of her disorientation filled the empty spaces between them. He nodded, his brows knitting together. “Got a lot on your mind?” It was such a simple question, yet it sent a rush of conflicting thoughts spiraling in her head. Should she confide in him? Could she find the words to explain the mixture of anxiety and yearning that clawed at her insides? Instead, she smiled weakly, shaking her head as if to brush away the heavy thoughts that clouded her mind. “Just school stuff,” she said, the words slipping out before she could stop them. Jake took a moment, his gaze searching her face, as if trying to read her hidden thoughts. “You know,” he began slowly, “you can talk to me if you want. I’m always here to listen.” Ellie felt her heart race again, the warmth creeping up to her cheeks. Did he really mean it? For a brief moment, she contemplated all the times she had imagined this exact scenario—a conversation with him, the barriers stripped away. “Really?” she asked, letting her vulnerability peek through her carefully built walls. “Of course. We’re friends, right?” He chuckled lightly, and the sound brought a spark of joy amidst her apprehensions. His expression softened as he took another step closer, closing the distance between them as if to reinforce that he truly meant what he said. “I just sometimes feel like I’m on the outside looking in. It’s like I’m in this bubble,” she whispered, hardly recognizing the words spilling from her lips. “Yeah, I get that,” he replied thoughtfully. “Sometimes, we all feel like we don’t belong. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like that, too.” Ellie blinked, surprise flickering across her face. “Really? You?” “Of course! I mean, sometimes it’s hard to navigate all these people and their expectations. But you know what? You shouldn’t let that stop you. You’re amazing, Ellie. Don’t ever doubt that.” His words enveloped her with a warmth she had only dreamed of. Her heart fluttered wildly as she began to shed the weight of her disorientation. She realized that perhaps she wasn’t so alone after all. Maybe there was a place for her, right here beside him. “Thanks, Jake. That really means a lot,” she said quietly, a genuine smile beginning to break through the clouds that had settled over her. “Wanna grab some coffee? It’ll help clear your head,” he offered, motioning toward the café at the edge of the playground. Ellie felt a swell of courage. The fog was lifting, the space between them narrowing. She could image laughing with him, sharing small moments that spun in her mind like tiny stars. “Yeah, that sounds great,” she replied, her voice steady now, confidence blooming with every heartbeat. And together, they stepped away from the glass door, leaving behind the disorientation of unanswered questions, moving toward the warmth of a friendship that was just beginning to unfold.