It's strange how one moment can linger long after it's over.
That afternoon at the café replayed in my mind for days — the laughter, the awkward pauses, the looks I pretended not to see.
I knew I should stop thinking about him. But Liam was everywhere — in the songs we used to listen to, in the streets we once walked, even in the silence between my thoughts.
And now, Clara's voice joined the noise too.
She messaged me one night.
Clara: Hey, can we talk?
I stared at the screen, unsure if I should reply. But curiosity won.
We met at a park the next day, under the same tree where Liam and I used to sit during high school breaks.
She looked… tired. Her smile was polite but tight around the edges.
"I just wanted to ask," she began carefully, "is there still something between you and Liam?"
The question hit like a punch to the chest.
I hesitated, unsure if honesty would help or destroy us both. "There was," I said softly. "But that was a long time ago."
She studied me, her eyes sad. "It doesn't look that way when he talks about you."
My heart stumbled. "What do you mean?"
"He still remembers everything — your favorite drink, your favorite songs. When he talks about the past, it's always you in the story."
Her voice cracked slightly. "And I can't compete with a memory, Macey."
For a moment, I couldn't speak. I wanted to tell her she had nothing to worry about. That I'd already lost my chance. That I didn't want to ruin what they had.
But deep down, I knew that wasn't entirely true.
Because a small, selfish part of me wanted him to remember.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
His name kept echoing in my head — Liam, Liam, Liam.
And for the first time in years, I caught myself wondering if maybe… just maybe… there was still a space in his heart that hadn't been replaced.
The next morning, he texted me.
Liam: Can we talk? There's something I need to tell you.
My hands trembled as I stared at the message.
Because I already knew — whatever he was about to say could change everything.