SHADOW

She never saw him. But he was always there.

He would wait for her.
For hours.

Watching from afar.
Knowing he’d never get close enough to smell her hair.
But still—his presence.

He just wanted her to look at him.
Just once.
One glance. One smile.

She didn’t smile often.
But he was sure he could make her smile—if he had the chance.

She read while she walked, always looking up just in time to avoid the tree - That part made him smile.

He imagined her beside him.
His hand at her elbow, steering her gently away from danger—not hard enough to startle her. Just enough to shift her path.

He studied her the way a sailor watches the tide—
knowing the pull was never meant for him,
but hoping anyway.

He watched her pick up the book she dropped on the way home from the library.
Wishing he could step forward.
Offer help. Say something. Anything.

He would’ve been polite.
Courteous.
Carried her books like they were sacred.

He didn’t mind waiting.
The waiting was the thing.