Working Theory

A story

I didn’t notice when the sound started bothering me. filter in the aquarium, I mean. It had always been there; low, consistent, like something you stop hearing after a while. But recently it felt louder. Not actually louder. Just, present in a way I couldn’t ignore. Like when someone keeps staring at you and you don’t turn, but you know. The aquarium light had been on all night. I don’t remember leaving it like that, but I must have. The water had that faint bluish tint again. It only happens when the levels are slightly off. Not dangerous. Just wrong enough to notice if you’ve been looking at it for too long. I think I’ve been looking at it for too long. “Are you planning to sleep today or is this permanent now?” I didn’t turn immediately. I knew it was him. There’s a way he speaks that doesn’t interrupt anything. Even when it should. “I slept,” I said. “You’re lying.” “I know.” There was a small pause. Not awkward. But there was. He walked in, slower than before, not in a dramatic way, nothing like that. If you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t notice. But I do. I notice the way he shifts his weight before taking the next step, like his body needs a second to agree with him. He stood next to..