2

Alis’s phone vibrating on the bedside table. The screen shows “Mom” calling. Alis, still lying beside Jun, hesitates before picking up the phone. She takes a deep breath, her hand slightly trembling as she swipes to answer.

Alis: (softly) Hello?

The voice on the other end is stern but not unkind. Alis’s mother’s voice fills the silence, each word sinking into the heavy atmosphere of the room.

Alis’s Mom: Alis, you need to come home tomorrow morning. It’s important.

Alis’s heart sinks at the abruptness in her mother’s tone, but she doesn’t argue.

Alis: (barely above a whisper) Okay, Mom… I’ll be there.

Without another word, the line goes dead. Alis stares at the phone for a moment, the weight of the call pressing down on her. Slowly, she sets the phone back on the table and sits up, the sheets falling away as she moves to the edge of the bed. The room feels colder now, the warmth from their earlier embrace fading.

Jun watches her, concern etched on his face. He senses the shift in her mood, the sadness that seems to have settled around her like a heavy cloak.

Jun: (sitting up, his voice gentle but worried) What did she say?

Alis stands up, avoiding his gaze as she starts to gather her clothes from the floor. She speaks, her voice void of emotion, as if she’s trying to hold herself together.

Alis: I have to go home. My mom wants me there in the morning.

She pulls on her clothes with a quiet determination, her movements quick and precise as if by focusing on the task, she can avoid thinking about what it all means. Jun watches her, a sense of dread curling in his chest. He can feel her slipping away, and the thought terrifies him.

Jun: (standing up, taking a step toward her) You’re leaving now? It’s late, Alis. Can’t you stay a little longer?

Alis pauses, her back to him as she zips up her dress. She closes her eyes, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill over. She knows if she turns to look at him, she’ll crumble.

Alis: (forcing her voice to stay steady) I need to pack some things. I’ll come back later.

Jun reaches out, his hand gently catching her wrist, stopping her. The touch is warm, familiar, but right now it feels like it’s burning through her skin.

Jun: (his voice low, almost pleading) Please… don’t go. Not yet.

Alis finally turns to face him, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. The sight of him, standing there with that look in his eyes, makes her heart ache. She’s loved him for so long, and yet, they’ve always been just out of reach of something real.

Alis: (her voice breaking, barely a whisper) Jun, I have to. You know I have to.

Jun steps closer, his hand moving to cup her cheek. His touch is gentle, but his eyes are filled with a mix of desperation and sorrow.

Jun: (softly, his voice trembling) Alis, I don’t want you to go. I don’t want this to end like this.

Alis closes her eyes, leaning into his touch for just a moment, allowing herself to feel the pain of what could never be. She knows this is their reality—two people who shared something deep, yet never truly belonged to each other.

Alis: (tears spilling over, voice shaking) But it has to, Jun. We both knew this was coming. I just… I can’t keep doing this.

Jun’s thumb brushes away a tear that escapes down her cheek. The finality of her words hits him hard, and for the first time, he realizes just how much he’s losing.

Jun: (his voice raw with emotion) Alis, I…

Alis pulls away gently, breaking the physical connection between them. She wipes her tears, trying to pull herself together. With a deep breath, she picks up her bag and heads toward the door. Jun watches her go, his heart feeling like it’s being ripped apart.

Jun: (whispering to himself, voice broken) Alis…

Alis pauses at the door, her hand on the handle. She takes one last look at him, memorizing the way he looks in this moment. A part of her wants to run back to him, to forget everything and stay in this fragile bubble of theirs. But she knows she can’t.

Alis: (softly, voice full of sorrow) Goodbye, Jun.

With that, she turns the handle and steps out of the apartment, closing the door behind her. The sound of the door clicking shut echoes in the room, leaving Jun standing alone in the dim light, the reality of their situation settling in like a heavy fog.

he slowly sits back down on the bed, staring at the door, knowing that this might be the last time she walks out of his life.

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