Hide and Seek 3: The Last Game

The fluorescent lights of the college lecture hall hummed, a dull drone mirroring the monotonous math equations on the board. My professor’s voice, a steady murmur, drifted in and out of focus, swallowed by the static in my brain. Dyslexia, a constant companion, made the numbers dance, mocking my attempts at comprehension. I shifted in my seat, my gaze drifting to the clock, counting down the seconds until I could escape.
My mind, however, was already elsewhere, replaying the last conversation with Mickiyah. Her laugh, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled – every detail was etched into my memory. We were partners for a photography project, a flimsy excuse that had somehow blossomed into the crushing weight of a full-blown, unrequited crush.
The final bell chimed, a sweet release. I scrambled to pack my books, eager to slip away unnoticed, but the professor’s voice, sharp and clear, cut through the departing chatter.
"Hey, um Tori!"
My heart sank. I turned, forcing a casual shrug, and walked towards his desk, dread coiling in my stomach.
