Hey. Can I ask you something

Heart pounding.
Face freezing.
Back stiffening.

What did I do?
Was it the time when I—
Was it when I said—
Did they find out about—

What’s going on?
Did I do something wrong?
Are we in a bad spot?
Is it my fault?

Three seconds feel like a lifetime,
Imagining every possible thing
I could’ve done to hurt you.
These things don’t exist in real life,
But in my mind, I’ve damaged your soul.

Hey. Can I ask you something?

Brought back to the present.
Staring in fear.
Breath quickening.

What do you want for your birthday?

What are you doing this week?

How are you doing?

Can I borrow your hoodie?

Can you do me a favor?

Never start a conversation that isn’t bad with
Hey, can I ask you something.
Or else your friend will question themselves
And be in terror for the few seconds
That it takes for them to say, “Sure, ask away.”

[Note: y’all, I absolutely hate it when someone starts the conversation with ‘Hey, can I ask you something?’ It terrifies me and I can literally feel my heart pounding even harder, I get chills on my arms and back, and get butterflies in my stomach. If you aren’t bringing up a problem, never start with ‘Hey, can I ask you something?’😂]