YEAR — 2023
Elijah stood near the mirror, adjusting his shirt for the third time.
He paused… then sighed.
"Hmmm… I can't even wait to go to Talia and meet Layla," he murmured to himself.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I still remember the first time we met… and how beautiful she looked."
His expression slowly changed.
"But… I should tell her this time."
Silence filled the room.
He looked down, his fingers tightening slightly.
"What if she feels the same way?" he whispered.
For a moment, hope flickered in his eyes.
Then—it faded.
"No… I can't."
He let out a quiet breath.
"What if she doesn't? What if everything changes… and I lose what we already have?"
The thought alone felt heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Real.
He shook his head quickly, as if trying to push it away.
"Forget it… I'll think about it later."
He grabbed his bag and moved toward the door.
"Anyway, I need to hurry… or I'll miss the train."
The journey to Talia felt longer than usual.
Or maybe—
he was just thinking too much.
Layla's Perspective
Layla stood by her window, watching the familiar streets of Talia slowly come alive.
The festival had already begun.
But her thoughts were somewhere else.
"I'm going to turn seventeen this year…" she said softly to herself.
Another year.
Another festival.
Another meeting.
"Elijah will arrive in a few hours."
Her voice was calm… but her eyes weren't.
"He's the first… and the last close friend I've ever had."
There was something quiet in the way she said it.
Something deeper than it sounded.
Every year, it was the same.
He came.
They spent time together.
And then—
he left.
Layla looked down slightly.
"Every time the festival ends… he just goes back."
A faint frown appeared on her face.
"He never stays longer… not even for me."
She turned away from the window, crossing her arms.
"This time will be different."
There was a small determination in her voice now.
"I'll make him stay."
A slight smile formed—soft, but certain.
"It's vacation anyway… he won't refuse."
For a moment, she paused.
As if thinking something she didn't say out loud.
"…Right?"
The room fell silent again.
Back to Elijah
The train slowed as it approached Talia station.
Elijah looked outside the window.
The familiar sight of lights, colors, and movement greeted him.
Just like every year.
And yet—
his heart felt heavier.
Not because he didn't want to be there.
But because this time—
something had to change.