THE BOY WHO SAT BEHIND ME. ( Episode 2 )

Amara kept turning around, hoping to see Jayden's smile behind her. But some people leave your life so suddenly that your heart takes years to catch up.

Amara did not sleep that night.

The words Jayden had said before the call ended kept playing in her head.

"I'm leaving school."

Every time she closed her eyes, she heard his voice again.

Not the cheerful voice she had known for years.

Not the voice that always joked about everything.

This voice sounded broken.

As if he was carrying a burden too heavy for someone his age.

The next morning, Amara rushed to school earlier than usual.

She hoped Jayden would be there.

She needed answers.

She needed him to explain everything.

The strange distance.

His sudden relationship with Chioma.

His decision to leave school.

Nothing made sense.

When she entered the classroom, Jayden's seat was empty.

Her stomach tightened.

Students gradually filled the classroom.

Still no sign of him.

The first period began.

No Jayden.

Second period.

Nothing.

By break time, Amara could no longer concentrate.

Even her friends noticed.

"Amara, are you okay?" Chioma asked.

Amara looked at her closely.

For the first time, she felt a strange pain in her chest.

This was her best friend.

The same friend who was supposedly dating Jayden.

Yet Chioma looked completely normal.

Almost too normal.

"Can I ask you something?" Amara said.

Chioma nodded.

"Are you and Jayden dating?"

Chioma looked surprised.

Then she burst into laughter.

"Dating?"

Amara blinked.

"Everybody is saying it."

Chioma laughed harder.

"Who started that rumor?"

"So it isn't true?"

"Of course not."

Amara stared at her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Amara, are you serious?"

"I'm serious."

Chioma shook her head.

"Jayden is my friend. That's all."

Amara suddenly felt confused.

If they weren't dating, then why had she seen them holding hands?

Why had Jayden become distant?

Why was everything changing?

The questions continued to grow.

After school, she tried calling Jayden.

His phone was switched off.

Again.

And again.

And again.

For three days.

No answer.

No messages.

No explanation.

Nothing.

By Friday, rumors had spread across the school.

Some students said Jayden had transferred.

Some said his family relocated.

Others claimed he had dropped out completely.

Nobody knew the truth.

Even teachers seemed confused.

Then something happened.

Their class teacher entered during the afternoon lesson.

His expression was unusually serious.

The room became quiet.

"I have an announcement."...