Monday morning came with a damp chill, the sky heavy with clouds. Gianna and Mia huddled together at their favorite spot in the school courtyard, sipping hot chocolate from thermoses and talking about their weekends. As they chatted, Gianna knew she had to tell Mia about her break with Ethan, but the words felt tangled in her throat.
Finally, she took a deep breath. "Mia, I… I need to tell you something."
Mia glanced over, raising an eyebrow. "Uh-oh. This sounds serious."
"It kind of is." Gianna bit her lip, looking down at her hands. "Ethan and I… we're taking a break."
Mia's eyes widened. "Wait, seriously? When did this happen?"
"Yesterday," Gianna said, her voice soft. "We went out, and… things just felt off. It was like all these things I'd been trying to ignore finally just spilled over. I felt like I had to be honest with him, even if it hurt."
Mia reached over and squeezed her hand. "Wow. I know you guys have been together for so long… this must feel strange."
"It does," Gianna admitted, her gaze distant. "Ethan's been such a big part of my life. And now, I don't even know what comes next."
Mia nodded, her expression thoughtful. "And… does this have anything to do with Adrian?"
Gianna felt her cheeks heat up, but she shook her head. "Not really. Adrian's just… I don't know. He's been around, and we're friends, but it's not about him. This is something I've been feeling for a while now."
"Fair enough," Mia replied, her tone understanding. "But are you planning on telling him? About the break with Ethan, I mean."
Gianna hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with her thermos lid. "Not yet. I don't want him to feel like… like he has anything to do with it, you know? I need some space to figure things out on my own first."
Mia nodded. "That makes sense. Besides, maybe some time on your own will give you clarity. You deserve that."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the sound of chattering students fading into the background.