Part 7: Long-Distance Love

Part 7: Long-Distance Love

The first few weeks apart were excruciating. Maya and Lily had been inseparable for so long that waking up in different cities felt like being thrust into an alternate reality. Lily was adjusting to the bustling life of New York City, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and vibrant art scenes, while Maya settled into sunny California, where soccer practices and new classes filled her days.

Despite the distance, they were determined to keep their bond strong.

---

Every night, without fail, they FaceTimed each other, finding comfort in hearing each other’s voices.

“How was practice?” Lily asked one evening, her voice soft as she lay curled up on her dorm bed.

“Exhausting,” Maya admitted, running a hand through her damp hair. “The coach is pushing us hard, but I scored during scrimmage today.”

“I knew you would,” Lily said, her smile evident even through the screen. “You’re amazing.”

“What about you?” Maya asked. “How’s your latest project?”

Lily turned her phone to show a canvas covered in bold strokes of color. “It’s not finished yet, but it’s for my abstract art class. My professor keeps telling me to ‘let go’ and stop overthinking.”

Maya chuckled. “That sounds like the opposite of you.”

“Exactly,” Lily said with a laugh. “But I’m trying.”

They talked for hours, catching up on every detail of their days. Even though the time difference made it difficult, they made it work, carving out moments for each other amidst their busy schedules.

---

But the distance wasn’t always easy.

One Friday evening, after a particularly grueling week, Maya sat alone in her dorm, scrolling through her phone. She stopped on a photo someone had posted—a picture of Lily at a gallery event, surrounded by people Maya didn’t recognize.

A pang of jealousy and insecurity hit her. She texted Lily immediately.

Maya: “Hey, saw the pic from the gallery. Who are those people?”

Lily responded quickly.

Lily: “Oh, just some classmates and people from the event. It was a networking thing.”

Maya stared at the screen, her chest tightening. She knew she had no reason to doubt Lily, but the distance made her feel disconnected, like she was missing parts of Lily’s life.

Maya: “Looks fun.”

Lily sensed the tension.

Lily: “It was okay. I wish you’d been there. Everything feels different without you.”

Maya exhaled, her shoulders relaxing.

Maya: “I feel the same way. I just miss you, that’s all.”

Lily: “I miss you too. So much.”

They ended up FaceTiming that night, both reassuring each other that their love was unshakable.

---

When the holidays came, they were finally reunited.

Maya waited at the airport, pacing nervously as travelers bustled around her. When she saw Lily walking toward her, carrying a duffel bag and wearing her favorite lavender scarf, Maya felt like she could finally breathe again.

“Lily!” she called, running to her.

Lily dropped her bag and threw her arms around Maya, holding her tightly. “I missed you so much,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“I missed you more,” Maya said, pulling back just enough to look into Lily’s eyes. “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered.”

Lily blushed, laughing through her tears. “You’re such a sap.”

They spent the entire holiday break together, rediscovering their old routines and making new memories. They visited the creek, now partially frozen, and laughed as they slipped on the ice. They went back to the greenhouse, which was cold and quiet but still felt like their safe haven.

One night, as they sat by the fireplace at Maya’s house, wrapped in a shared blanket, Lily turned to Maya.

“Do you ever think about the future?” Lily asked.

“Every day,” Maya said. “And you’re always in it.”

Lily smiled, resting her head on Maya’s shoulder. “I want that too. No matter how hard this is, I don’t want to give up on us.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Maya said, kissing the top of Lily’s head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

---

As the months turned into years, they fell into a rhythm.

Maya’s soccer career flourished, and Lily’s art began gaining recognition in galleries and competitions. They visited each other during holidays and breaks, cherishing every moment they could spend together.

But even with their successes, there were times when the distance felt unbearable.

One night, during Lily’s sophomore year, she called Maya in tears.

“I had my first gallery opening tonight,” Lily said, her voice cracking. “It was supposed to be this huge moment, but all I could think about was how you weren’t there.”

Maya’s heart broke. “Lily, I’m so proud of you. I wish I could’ve been there.”

“I just—” Lily paused, wiping her tears. “Sometimes it feels like we’re living separate lives.”

“We’re not,” Maya said firmly. “We’re living one life, together. It’s just stretched across two cities right now. But that won’t be forever.”

Lily sniffled. “Promise me it won’t be forever.”

“I promise,” Maya said, her voice steady. “One day, we’ll be together again, and all of this will just be a memory.”

---

By their senior year of college, they started making plans for the future.

Lily was offered a residency at an art studio in Los Angeles, and Maya had signed with a professional soccer team in the same city.

When Lily called to tell Maya the news, her voice was filled with excitement and disbelief. “Can you believe it? We’re finally going to be in the same place again!”

Maya laughed, her chest filling with relief and joy. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day you left for New York.”

As they talked about their plans—finding an apartment, exploring the city, building a life together—the weight of the years apart began to lift.

---

The day Lily arrived in Los Angeles, Maya was waiting for her at the airport, just as she had been years ago.

When Lily stepped off the plane, her suitcase in tow, Maya ran to her, lifting her off the ground in a tight embrace.

“We made it,” Maya whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“We did,” Lily said, her eyes shining with tears. “And I’m never letting you go again.”

As they walked out of the airport hand in hand, the sun setting over the city, they knew that their love had not only survived the distance—it had grown stronger because of it.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***