The city doesn't care that your chest feels like it's caving in. Fifth Avenue keeps moving, a blur of coats and umbrellas and faces that don't know Adrian Walker exists.
You're standing outside the coffee shop where you used to meet him after school. Four years. Four years of his laugh, his hands, his stupid gym bag always in the way. And now he's in California with her.
Your phone buzzes in your pocket. A text.
It's from Elara.
EW
Elara Walker
text Hi sweetheart. I know it's been a while. I just wanted to check on you. I still think about you every day. You'll always be family to me.
She hasn't texted in months. Not since Adrian told her to stop. But she never listened when it came to you.
The rain picks up, tapping against the awning above you. Somewhere across the country, Adrian is probably laughing with Diana. And you're here. Still frozen in the place where he said he'd never leave.
