Fifty-Six

Ashanti

I was eating my cereal slowly, trying my best not to stare at Harrison. He was comfortably sprawled on the couch, gaming controller in hand, totally engrossed in his game.

He'd occasionally press buttons vigorously, tilt his head in sync with the game's movements, and let out loud cheers followed by boasts of victory.

Inside, I wondered how he could remain so calm and collected. The thought alone that he was about to lose his best friend was suffocating; if I were in his position, guilt would have consumed me until I confessed.

As if on cue, Harrison caught my gaze. We locked eyes momentarily, and I quickly put on a blank expression, diverting my attention to my cereal. He, too, turned away, scratching his face awkwardly,

Then I focused on the magazine in front of me, filled with trivial gossip I had no interest in. Carmen lay on a rug, laptop on her lap, deeply immersed in a movie through her headphones.

Beside her lay a notebook and pen, where she periodically scribbled h