Friday morning arrived quietly, slipping through Aria's room like it didn't want to disturb her. But she was already awake.
She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, her phone resting beside her pillow. The first thing she did before stretching, before even sitting up was check her notifications.
No missed calls.
No messages.
No name lighting up the screen.
Liam.
Her chest tightened, a familiar ache settling in as she turned onto her side and unlocked her phone again, hoping desperately she had missed something in her half-sleep. She scrolled. Refreshed. Checked again.
Nothing.
Aria exhaled slowly, her stomach twisting into knots she couldn't name. She pushed herself out of bed and whispered, "Friday…" as if saying the day aloud could somehow steady her nerves.
The bathroom was quiet. She let the warm shower run down her back, letting the water wash over her, trying to rinse away the heaviness clinging to her thoughts. But it didn't. Not really.
She dressed carefully not to impress anyone, but because looking put-together made her feel like she could still control something, anything. High-waist jeans, a soft cream long-sleeve tucked neatly in, a light jacket thrown casually over her shoulders. Hair brushed, falling freely, soft gloss on her lips, defined brows, mascara just enough. Normal.
Inside, she felt anything but.
The school grounds looked the same. Yet everything felt different. The air felt heavier, the noise sharper, the usual laughter of students hollow. Aria moved through the front gates, scanning the crowd automatically, instinctively… searching for Liam.
Still nothing.
Her feet slowed near the science block, where he usually waited leaning casually, headphones half in, phone in hand, that half-smile always ready for her. She stopped, her pulse quickening at the empty space.
A group of his friends stood nearby, laughing at something on a phone.
She hesitated, then walked toward them.
"Hey," she said softly.
Heads turned. Surprise flickered across a few faces.
"Hey, Aria," one replied. "What's up?"
She forced a small smile. "Have you… seen Liam? Or heard from him?"
Glances exchanged.
"No," another shook his head. "We haven't seen him all week."
"He didn't come to school at all," someone added. "We tried calling him too."
Aria felt the floor tilt beneath her feet.
"So… you don't know where he is?" she asked quietly.
They all shook their heads.
"Sorry," the first guy said. "If we hear anything, we'll let you know."
"Yeah," Aria replied, nodding. "Thanks."
She walked away before they could see the worry settling fully on her face. Every step felt heavier, as if gravity had somehow shifted to cling to her chest.
Classes blurred together. Lectures passed in a fog. She answered when called on, scribbled notes she barely remembered writing, but every vibration from her phone made her heart leap only to deflate the moment it wasn't him.
By midday, she headed toward the faculty building. Professor Wallace had asked to see her an academic recommendation, an opportunity she had applied for weeks ago and almost forgotten amid the chaos of her personal life.
She knocked lightly on the office door.
"Come in," a warm voice called.
Professor Wallace smiled. "Aria. Good to see you."
"Good afternoon, sir," she replied politely, taking a seat across from his desk.
They spoke for nearly thirty minutes about her grades, her potential, and her focus. He praised her discipline and encouraged her to stay grounded despite distractions.
"You're doing well," he said firmly. "Don't let personal matters derail what you're building."
Aria nodded. "I won't."
She wanted to mean it.
After school, her phone buzzed again but this time, it wasn't Liam.
It was her mom.
Mom: Aria, how about we spend the weekend together? Just us. Shopping, movies, the beach. You need a break.
Aria smiled faintly at the screen.
Aria: I'd like that.
Saturday arrived bright, almost mocking in its normalcy compared to the turmoil twisting inside her.
She dressed casually, meeting Arabella downstairs. Their laughter over outfits and shoes felt like an anchor, a tether to a life that didn't feel completely upside down.
They watched a movie, sharing popcorn and running commentary, and later, decided to head to the beach.
The sun hung low, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks. The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the space with calm.
For the beach, Aria wore a flowy off-shoulder white top that hugged her shoulders gently, paired with high-waist linen shorts in a soft beige tone. Flat sandals, hair tied loosely at the back, a few strands framing her face. Effortless. Elegant. Relaxed.
She felt… beautiful.
They walked barefoot along the shore, waves brushing their feet, laughter carried away by the wind.
For a moment, Aria allowed herself to forget about Liam's absence, Julian's quiet, piercing awareness, the whispers she tried to ignore.
And then she froze.
A few steps ahead, she recognized them.
Julian.
With his parents.
Her breath caught.
She hadn't expected this not here, not now.
Alex stood beside his mother, hands in his pockets, laughing softly at something his father said. But when his eyes lifted and landed on Aria…
His smile faltered.
Their gazes locked.
Arabella noticed instantly. "Aria… is that Julian?"
"Yes," Aria whispered.
Before she could decide what to do, Julian's family noticed them.
"Hey!" Julian's mom called warmly. "Aria!"
There was no avoiding it.
They walked closer, the distance shrinking until both families stood face to face.
"Arabella, right?" Julian's mother said, smiling. "It's so nice to finally meet you properly."
"The pleasure is mine," Arabella replied politely.
Small talk followed, polite greetings exchanged, but the warmth had shifted.
Julian avoided her eyes. When their hands brushed accidentally, neither reacted. The tension was thick enough to choke on. Both families noticed it.
When the conversation ended, polite goodbyes said, Aria let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Arabella slipped her arm through hers. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not right now," Aria said softly.
Her mom nodded, understanding.
As they walked away, Aria glanced back once.
Julian was still standing there, watching her leave, expression unreadable, heavy with unspoken words.
And in that moment, Aria realized something painfully undeniable:
Even when silence separates two people, history never truly disappears.
It lingers in glances, in pauses, in moments that feel unfinished.
And somewhere out there, Liam was still missing.
Unanswered.
Unreachable.
And Aria stood in the middle of what was slipping away… and what she didn't yet fully understand.