The school week began quietly, almost too quietly.
Aria woke to the buzz of her alarm, the pale morning light slipping through the curtains. She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the weekend pressing against her shoulders. But there was something else too a quiet tension, a hollow ache that had settled deep in her chest ever since Liam had gone silent. The beach incident with Julian added another layer, a dull knot of unease she couldn't shake.
Dragging herself into the bathroom, Aria tried to focus. She let the warm water cascade over her, trying to wash away not just the remnants of sleep but the heaviness that clung to her thoughts. But no matter how long she stayed there, the nagging questions persisted: Where is Liam? Why hasn't he called or texted? Why does it hurt so much not to know?
Even after dressing carefully high-waist jeans, a soft pastel blouse tucked in neatly, sneakers that made her look effortlessly put-together she couldn't shake the gnawing sensation in her chest. She looked at herself in the mirror, forcing a small, almost professional smile. Normal. Calm. Collected.
Inside, she felt anything but.
The hallways of the school were buzzing as she arrived, filled with the usual Monday chaos: lockers slamming, laughter bouncing off the walls, students rushing past each other. Aria's gaze swept the crowd instinctively, searching for Liam. He wasn't there. Not among his friends, not leaning against the railings near the science building, not anywhere she could see.
A sharp pang of disappointment stabbed through her chest.
Her phone buzzed. Hope flared for a second until she saw it was only a notification about a homework assignment. Her chest sank further.
She moved through the hallways, slipping into quieter corridors, trying to immerse herself in textbooks, notes, assignments but the absence of Liam echoed louder than any words. And the truth she'd been avoiding pressed in on her: she had feelings for him. Deep, stubborn, persistent feelings that had grown over the past weeks, quietly burrowing themselves into her chest. And now, without him, they felt heavier than ever.
Rounding the corner near the science block, she nearly collided with someone. Her heart skipped.
Julian.
His eyes met hers immediately, calm and steady, the way she had come to know over months of shared classes and quiet moments. But there was something else there too a subtle flicker of emotion she couldn't place. Regret? Understanding? Something else entirely.
"Aria," he said softly, low enough that only she could hear.
She swallowed hard, her stomach twisting. "Julian," she replied cautiously.
He stepped closer. The hallway's noise faded into the background as a strange quiet fell between them. Then he spoke again.
"I… I wanted to apologize," he said, voice earnest. "About the beach. About the weekend. I should have handled things differently."
Aria's chest tightened, memories flooding back: the awkward silence, the tension in the air, the subtle coldness in Julian's gaze. She nodded slowly. "It's… okay. I get it."
Julian shook his head. "No. You don't. It wasn't your fault. I should have been clearer, calmer… I should've been better."
Her lips parted slightly, emotions rising that she hadn't expected. She wanted to speak, to reassure him, to reach for the warmth she remembered, but all that came out was a faint, almost inaudible, "Thank you."
Julian's eyes softened, the weight of unsaid words lingering between them. "Aria… I'm leaving. I won't be back for a while."
Her chest sank, hollow ache spreading in waves. "Leaving?" she whispered, barely audible over the noise of passing students.
He nodded. "Yeah. Family matters. Things I can't avoid."
Her throat tightened. For a fleeting moment, she felt breathless, caught between the desire to hold on and the reality that he was stepping away.
He moved closer, arms expanding just enough to offer the silent invitation she'd been craving. One last hug. Or maybe… for now.
Aria didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. Warmth, familiarity, comfort they all hit her at once. Memories crashed in: first smiles, whispered secrets, stolen moments. She wanted to stay, to never let go, but she didn't want to complicate what was already fragile.
Julian held her tightly for a long, silent moment. Then, just as softly, he pulled back slightly. "Take care of yourself, Aria," he murmured.
Her voice trembled. "Make sure you come back. Keep in touch… please."
He smiled, a small curve of sadness and apology. "I will. I promise."
She let go, stepping back as Julian walked away. Each step he took felt heavy, tugging at her chest. She remained still, watching him until he disappeared into the throng of students, leaving her in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by noise yet utterly alone.
The day felt heavier after that. Chloe passed by, eyes rolling subtly, whispering with her friends as if Aria didn't exist. It stung, but Aria didn't react. Her focus was elsewhere. Every laugh, every glance, every passing student reminded her of the emptiness beside her Liam still missing, Julian gone, Chloe indifferent.
By mid-afternoon, a dull headache began pounding behind her eyes, intensifying with every passing hour. She rubbed her temples, trying to ignore it, but it only worsened. The weight of unsaid words, unreturned calls, and uncertain futures pressed down, relentless.
When the final bell rang, she moved methodically, packing her bag slowly. She didn't speak to anyone, didn't offer a word of explanation. The walk home felt endless, each step heavier than the last, each breath weighed down by thoughts she didn't have the courage to unpack.
Arriving at the apartment, she let herself in quietly. The space felt emptier than usual, shadows stretching across the walls, the hum of the city below distant and hollow. She kicked off her shoes, walked to the window, and gazed out at the city lights beginning to flicker on, a reflection of her own quiet despair.
Her phone buzzed gently. Hope stirred but it wasn't Liam. Not Julian either. Just another routine notification.
She sank onto the couch, hugging her knees to her chest, staring blankly at the screen. The silence was heavy. Her head throbbed, her chest ached, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to feel the emptiness fully.
Outside, the sun dipped lower, painting the apartment in soft shades of gold and orange. Aria leaned back against the cushions, closing her eyes, letting memories wash over her. The laughter, the arguments, the kisses, the tears all returned in vivid flashes.
And beneath it all, the truth she had been avoiding: she had feelings for Liam, and Julian… Julian had gone.
The world felt quieter, lonelier, heavier than it had in weeks.
And yet, somewhere deep down, Aria knew one thing with brutal clarity:
Life didn't stop for heartbreak.
It didn't pause for longing.
And it certainly wouldn't wait for her to be ready.
She had to move forward. Somehow.