Lelo didn't like the girl at the bookstore.
She saw her laughing with Serene — that stupid, too-loud laugh, all teeth and fake affection. She watched them talk for five whole minutes. Too close. Too familiar. It made her fingers itch. She wanted to press her hands over the girl's mouth and squeeze until no sound came out.
She didn't.
Instead, she waited.
When Serene stepped away to shelve books, Lelo followed the girl — the other girl — down the street. Not fast. Not close. Just enough. When the girl turned around near the tram stop, confused, Lelo gave her a smile so small it barely moved her lips.
The girl never came back to the bookstore after that.
Lelo was satisfied.
She didn't like when people touched what was hers. Especially not her mother.
She started showing up more. At the café. At the park bench. Sitting just far enough away that Serene never paid her any attention. Never truly looked at her. But Lelo saw her. Always. Like a painting she couldn't stop memorizing.
Sometimes she would whisper it under her breath.
"Mother."
Soft. Quick. Like a breath slipping through a crack in the door.
Other times, she'd write it down in tiny letters in her notebook.
Mother is wearing the scarf again today.
Mother is tired. I should make tea for her soon.
Mother smiled at the boy again. I don't like it.
She kept the notebook in her coat pocket, pages worn, corners curled. No one ever read it. Except her. And the voice in her head that sounded like her father's when he was calm.
One afternoon, Serene tripped over a loose tile while rushing to catch the tram. Her bag spilled — books, headphones, pens everywhere. Lelo was already moving before anyone else flinched.
She crouched and handed Serene a pen without speaking.
Serene looked at her, eyes soft. "Thank you," she said.
Lelo didn't reply. Just nodded. Just stared.
When Serene turned to gather the rest, Lelo whispered into the sidewalk.
"You should be more careful, mother."
Serene didn't hear it.
Didn't even pause.
Lelo stood slowly. Smiled to herself. She liked that she could say it without getting caught. Like a secret between them. One Serene didn't know she was keeping.
Later that night, Lelo scratched out a line from her notebook and replaced it.
She will love me back.
She just doesn't know it yet.
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