The Love That Turned Quiet

She was a girl with a quiet heart, Loving him softly right from the start. For two long years she held it tight, A secret wish every day and night. Back in Year Six she gathered her will, Hands shaking hard, heart standing still. She told him the truth, no place to hide, But he said no, and a piece of her cried. She smiled it off, said, "It's okay," Though her heart felt heavier every day. Still somehow, through each passing year, Her feelings for him stayed sincere. Then Year Seven came with a brand-new start, And suddenly hope returned to her heart. The boy who once said "not today" Finally looked at her and said "okay." And happiness rushed like summer skies, With stars returning into her eyes. She couldn't believe the dream was true, The boy she loved had loved her too. The first two weeks felt warm and bright, Everything somehow felt so right. They teased each other, laughed all day, And found small reasons just to stay. Every compliment, every little glance, Made both their hearts break into dance. They'd get all flustered, shy, and sweet, With nervous smiles whenever they'd meet. Summer break felt like a perfect song, Like maybe this love would last so long. Like every wish she'd made before Had finally reached her in her shore. But seasons change, and so did they, As school came back the following day. The hallways grew colder than before, And things felt different somehow more. He'd walk right past her every day, Like she was someone far away. No smile, no wave, no eyes that met, And slowly her heart filled with regret. She'd stand there wondering, confused inside, Trying hard all her tears to hide. "Am I still someone you adore? Or am I not enough anymore?" Then after school she'd wait and stare, Checking her phone with hopeful care. But hours passed with nothing there, Only silence hanging in the air. No little updates, no simple text, No "how was your day?" or "what comes next?" Just empty spaces she couldn't ignore, Till love felt quieter than before. She waited and waited, trying her best, But sadness settled inside her chest. Because the thing that hurt her most wasn't fights or tears that fell, It was feeling lonely while together as well. Because how could she miss him this much every day, When technically he hadn't gone away? How could love feel so distant too, When she still belonged with you? She waited for the boy from those first sweet weeks, The one with blushing smiles and nervous cheeks. Because somewhere inside her heart she knew, She wasn't missing someone new. She was missing the boy she first once knew. -Mae