As the weeks went by, Mia's transformation became more pronounced. She started spending more time alone, often disappearing for hours without explanation. I felt like a shadow in her life, watching as she drifted further away. I tried to fill the void with hobbies and friends, but nothing could replace the connection we once shared.
One afternoon, I found her sitting on the porch, her sketchbook open but untouched. "Mia, let's go for a walk," I suggested, hoping to reignite the spark between us.
"I can't, Bornwell. I have things to think about," she replied, her voice flat.
I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. "What things? Can't we talk about it?"
She looked at me then, and for a brief moment, I saw the girl I loved. But it quickly faded, replaced by a look of frustration. "I just need space, okay?"
That was the moment I realized I was losing her. I felt helpless, trapped in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. All I wanted was to build a future with her, but she was slipping through my fingers like sand.