rs, but it echoed in the little things he did-the way he always saved her a seat in class, the way his eyes li

g more. Lisa had told herself it was better this way. Love could complicate ever

after graduation

out spot, beneath the rustling canopy of tree

ething," Willy said, hi

ittle smile playing on h

t

you for a long time. And I don't wa

ed years to hear those words, and yet now that they wer

u. So much," she said. "But

ng her hand. "I'd rather take

ispered through the leaves above th

said softly.

is goofy sense of humor-but now, there were new layers: stolen kisses, hand-holding, whispered confessions. Yet, it

h her favorite chocolate bar or call her late at night just

and suddenly their relationship was stretched thin across hundreds of m

't enough when

mbered the call-his voice cracked and broke

.. he'

spered, tears welling in her e

opped calling. At first, Lisa was patient. She understood grief-how it could hollow

No "I'm okay," no "I need space,"

n Joe entere

sit next to her. He was charming, quick-witted, and had a calm pr

thinking about the universe,"

"Just missing

help," Joe said with a grin. "C

.. I don't know. I

on his lips but softer now

he w

hadn't felt in weeks-connection. Joe made her laugh. He listened. He

dmitted after a while, voice barely above a

tars, her chest tight w

id, more to herself than to him. "I know he's g

Joe said, brushing a str

between them lik

gering, full of warmth. A ki

ight, everyt

kiss, but because something inside her had shifted. S

day, staring at her phone. There

loud, as if he could hear he

passed. Finally

n a mess. I just... I didn't

e sound of his voice,

But I met someone. I didn't

hen, a qui

I took

you. But I needed some

aid. "I do. I just

s, or even the decision, but because love, no matter how

first love. But in the end, she had chosen the present over the

illed sky, she made p