there’s a friend of a friend
crying in the hallway.
i slow my step
and i think about it:
i’m going to be late for class
i could get detention
she could just tell me to go away
she barely knows me
i barely know her
i could get in trouble.
but there is a friend of a friend
crying in the hallway,
and i can’t ignore her.
her eyes are red,
her body’s shaking,
i stop in front of her,
and i stop thinking about it.
i don’t ask what’s wrong,
i don’t ask if she needs help,
i don’t introduce myself.
i just say do you need a hug?
she gets up off the floor
and i hug her for a long minute.
i tell her it will be okay.
she smiles,
teary-eyed,
and i say well, i’d better go.
and she nods
i hear her thank you as i walk away.
i smile at her over my shoulder.
i’m late to class,
and i do get in trouble,
but for some reason,
i don’t mind.