The rain drizzled against the café's window, creating a melancholic melody that blended with the quiet afternoon. Amelia Parker wrapped her hands tightly around the warm cappuccino, the rising steam fogging up her glasses.
Ten years. It had been ten years since she last set foot in this town-ten years since she left behind everything she once held dear.
The doorbell chimed, and a familiar voice called out from behind her.
“I thought I might find you here.”
Amelia froze. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Slowly lifting her gaze, she met Nathan Carter’s eyes- the boy who had once been her best friend, the boy she had once loved.
Nathan had changed, yet he hadn’t. The carefree eighteen-year-old she remembered was gone, replaced by a man whose blue eyes carried a quiet depth. He was taller, more mature, with light stubble along his jaw. He wore a simple button-up shirt with his sleeves rolled to his elbows, a style that still suited him-but now, he felt both familiar and distant.
Amelia swallowed hard. “It’s been a long time.”
Nathan slid into the seat across from her, ordering an espresso- still his usual choice. A strange silence settled between them, as if neither knew where to begin. Finally, Nathan spoke first.
“How have you been?”
Amelia forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Just got back yesterday.”
Nathan nodded, studying her intently. “How long are you staying?”
“Not long,” she replied. “Just here to pack up my things. I’ll be leaving soon.”
Nathan stirred his coffee absentmindedly. “I thought you’d never come back.”
Amelia tightened her grip on her cup, old memories stirring inside her. “I thought so too.”
But fate had other plans.
Ten years ago, Amelia and Nathan had been inseparable. They had grown up together, sharing dreams, secrets, and late-night talks on Amelia’s rooftop. They spent countless afternoons riding Nathan’s old bicycle through the quiet streets, laughing about nothing and everything. To Amelia, Nathan had been her world. And somewhere along the way, her feelings had changed.
On the night of their high school prom, as the music played and their classmates danced under the fairy lights, Amelia had finally gathered the courage to confess.
“Nathan, I like you.”
He had stared at her for a long time. But instead of answering, he simply smiled, ruffled her hair, and said:
“We’ll always be best friends, right?”
That was the moment she knew.
She had left the party early. The next morning, she received her college acceptance letter to a university in New York. And without a word, without looking back, she left.
She had thought that distance and time would erase him from her heart.
But some things never fade.
Nathan’s gaze softened. “The day after you left, I went to your house.”
Amelia stiffened. “You did?”
Nathan nodded, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t know you were leaving for good. I wanted to talk to you, but by the time I got there…you were already gone.”
Something in Amelia’s chest ached. She had spent years believing Nathan had never cared. But maybe…
“Did you ever like me?” the question slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.
Nathan hesitated. Then, after a long pause, he exhaled. “ I did, Amelia.”
She froze.
Nathan offered a sad smile. “But I was afraid. Afraid that if we became something more, everything would change. I thought keeping you as my best friend was better than risking losing you. But in the end, I lost you anyway.”
Amelia bit her lip. If only he had told her this back then- would things have been different?
Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving behind tiny droplets on the café's window. Amelia glanced at the time. “I should go. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Nathan studied her for a long moment before speaking again.
“Amelia…do you have to leave so soon?”
She looked up, surprised.
“Stay for a few more days.” His voice was quiet but sincere. “Let’s take a walk, visit our old places… talk about everything we never got to say.”
Amelia hesitated. For ten years, she had been running-from this town, from Nathan, from her past. But maybe, if she truly wanted to move on, she needed to face it first.
She met Nathan’s gaze, seeing the sincerity in his eyes- the hope.
A small smile formed on her lips. “Okay.”
Nathan smiled too. And this time, there was no regret.
THE END
