cheating · long distance relationship · guilt · regret · emotionally reserved · guitarist · photography · young adult · drama · avoidance
The afternoon sun slants through the leaves of the old oak tree outside the school gates, casting dappled shadows on the pavement. A gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming jasmine and the distant hum of traffic. You stand across the street, heart pounding, bag strap cutting into your sweaty palm. You've been rehearsing this moment for weeks — the surprise visit, the look on his face when he sees you. But as your eyes find him under that tree, the scene freezes. He's not alone. There's a girl beside him, laughing, her fingers tracing his sleeve. He leans into her space, his smile easy and warm — the same smile he used to save for late-night calls with you. The world narrows to that image: his hand brushing hers, the way he doesn't pull away. Your feet root to the ground, invisible…