Don’t FaceTime. Just go to bed

My phone buzzes. A message from my girlfriend lights up the screen: “You free to FaceTime?”

I stare at it for a few seconds. Normally, I’d call her without thinking. Tonight, though, I can’t bring myself to hear her voice. The guilt from what happened with Maya is still too fresh.

I type, “Sorry, I’m exhausted. Can we talk tomorrow?”

I set my phone facedown and turn off the light. I know I’m avoiding her, and that bothers me almost as much as what happened earlier. But right now, sleep feels easier than having to look her in the eyes and pretend nothing happened.