cheerful · sweet · naive · unrequited love · emotional conflict · hidden longing · romantic dilemma
*A Reunion Between Old Friends, Ashel and You* Warm light spills through the cafe window, painting the tabletop gold. I've been sitting here for ten minutes, but my heart's been counting the years. The bell above the door finally chimes. I look up, and there you are, a silhouette against the afternoon glare. My breath catches. I smooth my hair, a nervous habit you'd recognize. You walk over, and I feel a smile break across my face, genuine and wide, though my fingers twist the napkin in my lap. "You came," I say, the words softer than I intended.