The first time Ellie Parker realized Liam Carter was destined for greatness, it was during a spring talent show in high school. He'd stood under the glaring auditorium lights, strumming his beat-up acoustic guitar with a confidence that seemed far too big for their small town. Ellie had been sitting three rows back, her heart pounding with every note he played.
She hadn't known it then, but that moment was a glimpse of the future—a future that didn't include her.
Now, four years later, Liam was everywhere. His face adorned magazine covers at every checkout counter. His music played on every radio station. Social media buzzed endlessly about his latest single, his rumored flings, and the extravagant life he led as one of the most sought-after musicians of their generation. To the world, Liam Carter was untouchable.
To Ellie, he was a memory she couldn't shake.
Ellie's part-time job at a bookstore was usually her sanctuary, a place where she could bury herself in the comforting scent of paperbacks and escape the chaos of the world outside. But today, even here, Liam was unavoidable.
"Can you believe how hot he looks in this?" Sara asked, shoving a glossy tabloid in Ellie's face.
Ellie sighed, swatting the magazine away. "Don't you have work to do?"
"I'm on break," Sara said, plopping down on the counter. She flipped open the magazine to a two-page spread featuring Liam in a designer leather jacket, his green eyes smoldering at the camera. "Seriously, though. Look at him. How is this even the same guy we went to school with?"
Ellie didn't need to look. The image of Liam Carter was seared into her memory, from the way his dark hair always looked slightly tousled to the way his smile could light up a room. But the boy she'd known back then wasn't the polished, untouchable figure in the photos.
Back in high school, Liam had been rough around the edges—a little cocky, a little lost, but undeniably magnetic. He'd worn ripped jeans and band T-shirts that clung to his lean frame, always carrying his guitar slung over one shoulder like it was an extension of himself. Ellie had spent countless hours tutoring him in English, sitting across from him in the library while he tapped his pencil against his notebook and hummed under his breath.
He'd been a dreamer, always talking about the songs he was writing and the places he wanted to go. Ellie had admired that about him, even as she doubted he'd ever actually make it out of their sleepy little town.
Turns out, she'd been wrong.
"Earth to Ellie," Sara said, snapping her fingers. "You're zoning out again."
Ellie shook her head, trying to refocus. "Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I was saying," Sara continued, "that Liam's new album is dropping next week, and we should totally listen to it together."
Ellie groaned. "I think I've heard enough of Liam Carter for one lifetime."
Sara smirked. "Liar. You're obsessed with him."
"I am not," Ellie protested, her cheeks flushing.
"You are so. You can't even say his name without blushing."
Ellie rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny that hearing Liam's name still sent a pang through her chest. She didn't know if it was longing, regret, or something else entirely.
That evening, after her shift, Ellie found herself scrolling through her phone, her thumb hovering over a video link. It was a clip from one of Liam's recent concerts, posted by a fan account that had millions of followers. Against her better judgment, she tapped the play button.
The video opened with the roar of a massive crowd, thousands of voices screaming Liam's name. He stepped onto the stage, his guitar in hand, the spotlight catching the sharp angles of his face.
"Good evening, New York!" Liam's voice boomed through the speakers, smooth and confident. "This next one's a little personal. It's called The Girl Who Got Away."
Ellie's breath caught in her throat as the familiar melody filled her ears. The song was a slow, haunting ballad, its lyrics a confession of love and loss. Liam's voice was raw and vulnerable, his words slicing through Ellie like a blade.
"She was the one I let slip through my hands,
The one I couldn't hold,
She was the spark I didn't understand,
Now she's my story untold."
Ellie closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her. She'd heard the song a hundred times before, but hearing it live—even through a screen—felt different. It felt like Liam was speaking directly to her, even though she knew that was impossible.
When the song ended, the crowd erupted into cheers, and Liam flashed his trademark grin. "Thank you, New York!" he said, his voice filled with energy. "You've been amazing tonight."
Ellie quickly exited the video, her heart pounding.
She tried to push the thought away, but the question lingered in her mind, as persistent as the melody itself: Could the song really be about her?
The next day, Ellie sat in her dorm room, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't stop thinking about the concert video or the way Liam's voice had cracked on the final note. It was like he'd poured his soul into the song, leaving nothing behind.
She thought back to their last conversation in high school, the night of prom. They'd danced together under the glittering lights, the world around them fading into a blur. Liam had looked at her with an intensity that made her feel like she was the only person in the room.
But then he'd left. His family had moved away, and Liam had gone off to chase his dreams, leaving Ellie behind with nothing but memories and unanswered questions.
"Why are you torturing yourself?" Sara's voice broke through Ellie's thoughts. She was sitting cross-legged on Ellie's bed, scrolling through her phone.
"I'm not," Ellie said defensively.
Sara raised an eyebrow. "You've been staring at the ceiling for an hour. Spill."
Ellie sighed, running a hand through her messy hair. "I saw a video of Liam's concert last night."
"And?"
"And it made me wonder... what if the song really is about me?"
Sara's eyes widened. "You're kidding."
"I'm not," Ellie said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, the lyrics... they're so specific. It's like he's talking about our prom night."
Sara stared at her for a moment before breaking into a grin. "Ellie, this is huge. You have to talk to him."
Ellie shook her head. "No way. He's a rock star now. He probably doesn't even remember me."
"Are you serious?" Sara said, throwing a pillow at Ellie. "If that song's about you, he obviously remembers you. You're the girl who got away, Ellie!"
Ellie buried her face in her hands. "I can't just show up and be like, 'Hey, remember me? Your old tutor?'"
"Why not?" Sara said, crossing her arms. "You're the reason he's famous, for crying out loud. If he wrote a song about me, I'd be on the next plane to his concert."
Ellie didn't respond. She didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to believe that Liam still cared, but another part was terrified of getting her hopes up.
As the sun set outside her window, casting the room in golden light, Ellie made a decision.
She would go to the reunion.
It wasn't much, but it was a chance—a chance to see Liam again and finally get the answers she'd been searching for.