April 1: The Call
My phone rang, and my heart skipped a beat as I answered.
"Dahlia, congratulations! You landed the lead role!" the auditor exclaimed.
I was stunned, speechless. Inexperienced, yet chosen.
Anissa's face lit up when I shared the news. "Dahlia, I'm so proud of you!" She hugged me tightly, her eyes shining with happiness and a hint of sadness.
Aunt Sophie and Uncle Jack, who had taken us under their wing after our parents' passing, celebrated with us. Their warmth and pride filled the room.
That evening, I shared my joy with Clyde. "Moon, that's amazing!" he exclaimed. "You deserve it. Your talent shines through."
His enthusiasm was contagious, and we basked in the excitement.
April 5: Reflection
As the news sunk in, I realized Anissa's struggles. She'd been working tirelessly, facing rejection after rejection. I wanted to support her.
"Anni, I know this isn't easy for you," I said gently. "But your time will come. You're talented, and I believe in you."
Anissa smiled, her eyes welling up. "I'm happy for you, Dahlia. You deserve this chance."
I hugged her tightly. "We're in this together, always."
May 15: A Bittersweet Departure
The airport's sterile atmosphere couldn't dampen the emotions swirling inside me as I prepared to leave. Clyde's arms enveloped me, holding on tight as if he'd never let go. Our eyes locked, brimming with a mix of sadness and determination.
"Moon, how can I bear the thought of being apart from you for so long?" Clyde's voice cracked, his words barely above a whisper.
My heart ached, sharing his pain. "We'll make this work, Clyde. We have to. This opportunity means everything to me, and I know you understand."
Our lips met in a tender, desperate kiss. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, clinging to each other.
As I pulled back, Clyde's eyes pleaded, "Promise me you'll stay safe, that you'll come back to me."
I nodded, my voice trembling. "I promise, Clyde. I'll make this worth it. For us."
With one last glance, I turned and boarded the plane. The distance between us grew with each passing moment, but our love remained, a constant flame burning bright.
Abroad, I threw myself into filming and part-time acting studies. The experience was exhilarating, yet daunting. Homesickness crept in, but Clyde's daily calls and messages kept me anchored.
June 10: Navigating Long-Distance Love
Clyde's voice echoed through the phone, a comforting familiarity. "How's filming? How's study? Tell me everything."
I smiled, recounting my experiences. "It's intense, but amazing. I'm learning so much, growing as an actress and person."
"I'm proud of you, Moon," Clyde said, his pride radiating through the line. "You're chasing your dreams, and I'm cheering you on from afar."
As we talked, the distance felt more manageable. Our love bridged the gap, but the ache of separation remained.
"Clyde, I miss you so much," I confessed, my emotions raw.
"I miss you too, Moon. More than words can say. But we'll get through this. Together."
In the silence that followed, I knew our love would face tests, but we'd confront them together, our bond strengthened by the distance.
---
Oh...I wish I never left
--
May 15, Next Year
A year had passed since I left to film abroad, and my life had transformed beyond recognition. The movie's massive success catapulted me to stardom, making me a household name. Red carpets, flashing cameras, and screaming fans became my reality.
But amidst the chaos, a nagging feeling grew. Clyde's calls, once frequent and longing, had dwindled. Our conversations, once hours-long, shrunk to brief check-ins. The distance between us, once bridged by love and determination, now felt insurmountable.
Then, the calls stopped altogether.
I tried contacting him, my messages and calls met with silence. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.
June 1
Panic set in as the silence stretched into weeks. Something was wrong. Had Clyde lost interest? Had he moved on?
"Clyde, please answer me," I texted, my fingers trembling. "What's going on? Why aren't you responding?"
No response.
July 10
Desperation gripped me. I'd never felt so lost, so alone. Our love, once the anchor that kept me grounded, now seemed like a fading memory.
"Clyde, I'm coming home," I declared, determination etched in my voice. "We need to talk. We need to figure this out."
Still, silence.
August 15
Back in my hometown, I stood outside Clyde's office building, heart racing. What had happened? Had he moved on? Had our love been just a fleeting dream?
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.
The receptionist's smile faltered as I approached. "Dahlia, I...I didn't expect you."
"Is Clyde available?" I asked, my voice firm.
The receptionist hesitated. "Let me check."
As I waited, my mind raced with possibilities. What would I find? A changed Clyde? A stranger?
The receptionist returned, her expression sympathetic. "Clyde is...unavailable."
Unavailable? What did that mean?
I demanded answers, my heart pounding. "What's going on? Where is he?"
The receptionist's eyes dropped. "I'm sorry, Dahlia. I really am."
Sorry? Sorry wasn't enough.