The evening before Alice was set to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unfinished between her and James. Despite everything—the distance growing in their bond, the uncertainty in his words—she wanted to see him one last time. She needed closure, even if her heart wasn't ready for it.
With trembling hands, Alice dialed James's number. The phone rang only once before he picked up.
"I'm leaving tomorrow," she said softly, the weight of her words hanging in the air.
There was a pause on the other end before James replied, "I know. Come over. Let's talk."
Alice's heart fluttered, though she wasn't sure if it was hope or dread. She made her way to his place, her mind racing with memories of everything they had shared. When she arrived, James greeted her with his usual calm demeanor, a faint smile on his face.
"You're really leaving," he said, motioning for her to sit.
"Yes," Alice replied, her voice steady despite the storm within her. "I wanted to see you before I go."
Their conversation started slow, filled with small talk and lingering glances. But as the evening wore on, the unspoken emotions between them pulled them closer. Eventually, words gave way to actions, and they found themselves sharing an intimate moment—one that felt both comforting and bittersweet.
For Alice, it was a way to hold onto James, to carry a piece of him with her as she stepped into a new chapter of her life. But as she looked into his eyes afterward, she couldn't help but notice how distant he seemed.
James wasn't sad, not in the way Alice had expected. His demeanor was composed, almost detached, as if her leaving didn't affect him the way she had hoped it would.
"You'll do great, Alice," he said, his voice kind but lacking the depth she longed for.
She nodded, forcing a smile. "Take care, James."
As she left his house for the last time, a hollow ache settled in her chest. Alice realized that while she had given him her heart, James had never truly offered his in return. It was a painful truth, but one she needed to face.
With every step away from James, she felt a mix of heartbreak and relief. Perhaps this was how it was meant to be—her love for him had been real, but it was time for her to prioritize herself and the future she deserved.
As the night stretched on, Alice resolved to let go of what could never be, carrying only the lessons and memories that would shape her into someone stronger.
As the train sped through endless fields and towns, Alice sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. But her mind was far from the view outside—it was trapped in an endless loop of questions she couldn't escape.
Why wasn't James sad?
She had expected something—grief, hesitation, even a flicker of regret in his eyes—but there had been nothing. His calm demeanor, his casual words, they all pointed to one painful possibility: Was I the only one who cared this deeply?
Alice's thoughts spiraled further. What if he loves someone else? What if I was just one chapter in his story while he was my whole book? The idea twisted her heart, leaving her breathless with a mix of anger and sorrow.
She thought back to their last moments together, replaying every word, every glance, every touch. Had she missed the signs all along? The growing distance, the lack of warmth in his voice—had it all been pointing to something she had refused to see?
Was there another girl? The question haunted her. She tried to push it away, but it returned, sharper each time. If James wasn't hers anymore, who was he giving his heart to?
Yet, even in her pain, Alice couldn't bring herself to hate him. Love didn't fade so easily, even when it was unreturned. But one thing was clear—she couldn't live in the shadow of these unanswered questions. She had a life to build, a dream to chase.
As the train neared its destination, Alice took a deep breath. She had spent enough time wondering about James's heart. It was time to focus on her own.
Maybe the answers don't matter anymore, she thought, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. Maybe it's time to let go of the "why" and start asking, "What's next?"
For now, her journey was her own, and she was determined to make it worth something. She couldn't change what James felt—or didn't feel—but she could choose how she moved forward.
And with that, Alice promised herself one thing: She would become the person she dreamed of being, not for James, not for anyone else, but for herself.
It had been a few days since Alice had settled into her new state, trying to focus on her studies and adjust to the unfamiliar environment. Yet, amidst her efforts to move forward, her phone buzzed with a familiar name lighting up the screen.
James.
Her heart skipped a beat as she hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
"Alice," James's voice came through, calm and steady. "How are you doing?"
Alice swallowed the emotions that threatened to surface. "I'm fine. Just busy settling in and starting my classes."
There was a pause on the other end before James spoke again. "That's good. But listen, I wanted to talk to you about something."
Alice frowned, gripping the phone tighter. "What is it?"
"I know you'll meet a lot of new people there," James began, his tone measured. "Boys, too. But I want you to remember something—you and I have a connection, Alice. Don't let anyone else get too close to you. No matter what, we're still… us."
Alice felt a wave of confusion and frustration. "James, what are you saying? You didn't even seem to care when I left, and now you're telling me not to bond with anyone?"
"It's not like that," James replied quickly. "I just don't want you to forget about me. I want to stay updated on your life, to know how you're doing every day. Is that too much to ask?"
His words left Alice torn. Part of her longed to hold onto the connection they still had, but another part of her bristled at the implication. Why does he want to control this part of my life when he couldn't show me the love I needed?
"James," she said after a moment, her voice steady despite the storm inside her, "I don't know if I can promise that. I'm here to focus on my dreams, not to keep proving my loyalty to you."
James sighed. "I'm not asking you to prove anything, Alice. I just want to stay in your life. Is that so wrong?"
Alice closed her eyes, trying to make sense of her emotions. "I'll let you know how I'm doing, James. But I need space to figure out who I am without you always being in my head."
The silence on the line was deafening, and for a moment, Alice thought he might argue. But then James's voice softened. "Alright, Alice. Just don't forget me."
As the call ended, Alice sat in the quiet of her room, her thoughts swirling. She realized that while James still wanted to hold onto her in some way, it wasn't the kind of love or support she needed.
For the first time, she felt the strength to draw a line, to protect her heart from being pulled back into a cycle of doubt and longing. This was her time, her chance to grow, and she wasn't going to let anyone—no matter how much she loved them—hold her back.
Alice had just returned to her small apartment after a long day at the institute when her phone rang. The screen lit up with her mother's name, and a mix of comfort and apprehension washed over her.
"Hello, Mama," Alice said, her voice soft yet tired.
"How are you, beta?" her mother asked, her tone warm but carrying an undercurrent of seriousness that Alice instantly recognized.
"I'm fine, Mama," Alice replied. "Classes are going well, and I'm adjusting to everything here."
There was a pause on the other end before her mother's tone shifted. "Alice, I need to ask you something."
Alice's grip on the phone tightened. "What is it?"
"Are you still in touch with James?" her mother asked, her voice firm.
The question caught Alice off guard, and she hesitated before replying. "Why do you ask, Mama?"
"Because I know how much you cared for him," her mother said, her concern evident. "But I'm telling you, Alice, he's not the right boy for you. You're here to study, to build a future for yourself. Love and relationships—those things can wait. Right now, they'll only distract you."
Alice's heart sank as she listened, torn between defending James and acknowledging the truth in her mother's words. "Mama, I'm focusing on my studies," she said cautiously. "But James… he's still important to me."
Her mother sighed deeply. "Beta, I'm only saying this because I care about you. James isn't the kind of boy who will give you stability or happiness. You've seen how he treated you. You deserve better, Alice—someone who values you as much as you value them."
The words struck a chord deep within Alice, bringing back memories of James's indifference and her own unanswered questions. She wanted to argue, to insist that things were more complicated, but deep down, she knew her mother wasn't wrong.
"Promise me, Alice," her mother continued. "Promise me you'll focus on your studies and let go of anything that's holding you back. You're meant for great things, beta. Don't let this distract you."
Alice swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice barely above a whisper. "I promise, Mama."
As the call ended, Alice sat in silence, her mind racing. Her mother's words echoed in her heart, forcing her to confront the truth she had been avoiding. Maybe James wasn't the right person for her. Maybe holding onto him was only holding herself back.
For the first time, Alice felt a flicker of resolve. It was time to focus entirely on herself and her dreams, to build a life where she didn't need to seek validation from someone else.
And in that moment, Alice made a silent vow: she would let go of James, not out of anger or bitterness, but because she owed it to herself to move forward.