"I've liked you… ever since we were kids."
His voice cracked in the quiet night, trembling between the spaces where neither of us knew what to say. The wind brushed against my skin, sharp and cold, but nothing felt colder than the way those words wrapped around my heart.
I froze. My suitcase was already at my feet. London was waiting. But at that moment, it felt like the world had stopped spinning.
I slowly shook my head. "Don't say that."
His brows furrowed, eyes searching mine like he was begging for a reason to stay in my story. But there was none. Not anymore.
"I can't love you back," I whispered. The words came out soft… but they shattered everything between us.
He swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile. "Then… go. Chase your dream. I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes—I'll wait."
"Don't." My voice broke. I hated how fragile it sounded. "Forget me. Don't wait for someone who's never coming back."
His hand reached out, gripping my arm—not to hurt, but to hold on to something already slipping away. His warmth burned against my cold skin, and for a moment, I almost wanted to stay.
But dreams don't wait.
I pulled away, slowly, gently. One step back. Then another.
The sound of my heels echoed against the pavement, each click a silent goodbye. I didn't look back. I couldn't.
As the city lights blurred in my tears, I reached into my pocket and took out the bracelet he gave me years ago. It felt heavy in my palm, like every memory we shared was carved into it.
We were happy once—before dreams, before choices, before goodbyes.
But tonight, I had to choose myself.
And under the cold night sky, I walked away from the boy who loved me… and the love I never let bloom.