"Allo?" Anastasia's cracking, quiet voice echoes in the empty street.

It must be because of the imposing buildings and trees around that it sounds even weaker than she has pronounced it. Though her word is loud enough to be heard on the other end of the phone.

"Are you crying?"

"Non! No." She straightens up, wiping the wetness along her cheeks with her fingers, even if there is no one else around.

How can Nathaniel even know from wherever he is?

She shouldn't have answered the call in this vulnerable state. But she hasn't expected to see his name pop up on her phone today, so the concern has overtaken her brain.

"What is happening? I thought you weren't allowed to have any contact during your mission?"

"We've got a short break, and we can use our phones for a few minutes, so I thought I'd call."

She can almost see his shrug through his voice as if it is natural for him to call her, yet at the same time, there is an unsure inflection like he is afraid it would be too much for her.

"But now, tell me why are you crying?" This time, his tone is only determined, and it makes her heart jump once more.

"I'm not–" She lets out a sigh, knowing it's useless to lie. Nathaniel sees right through her, and apparently also hears. "It's nothing important, don't worry."

"Is it about our 'let it be'? Your fiancé? The rebels? Someone has hurt you–"

"No, no," she interrupts his frantic questioning, already picturing the shadows crossing his gaze with each supposition. "I'm fine. I've just... I've dropped out of school."

Here they are, the words out loud settling the decision into reality through a thin thread of voice.

"What?" he whispers, sounding more out-of-breath than if it had been any of his suggestions.

He probably hasn't been expecting that, as her dream and determination have been one of the first things she has confessed to him. It hasn't even been two months ago, yet this girl with unwavering dreams and beliefs has changed so much; maybe she doesn't even exist anymore.

"I just went to withdraw from my studies." She sighs, the shaky puff echoing along with her words as the silence is meeting her on the other side of the line.

For an instant, she almost believes the call has been cut off before he finally speaks up, his questioning resuming but much quieter and slower, contrary to her heartbeat.

"Is it because of what I've revealed you? Or your fiancé is forcing you?"

"A little bit of everything..." Her chest tightens as all the 'whys' are flashing before her eyes.

However, the moment she has walked out of those large glass doors, she has felt a weight off her lungs. Maybe that's what those tears have been: a way to wash off all those crushing burdens, to clear her head.

After, she has paid more attention to those surroundings that she has been passing by every day for a few years now. She has never really taken the time to observe them. But now that she isn't in a rush and that she has no lessons playing through her earphones, she is noticing how tall the elms are, how evenly gray the large buildings are, and how empty the alleys are during the school hours. 

Well, she has been watching all of this before all her attention has been caught by Nathaniel's smooth voice. It is a good thing as she is nearing a more secluded area with a smaller and older building, which she is carefully avoiding.

Her skin is prickling with unease just at the faraway glimpse she gets. Photography room, it is echoing in the back of her mind like a deafening whisper from hell. 

Maybe she is dreading having to face Hadi and justify herself. No, who is she trying to fool? He wouldn't expect to see her again, and at this hour, he is probably in class anyway. 

What she is afraid of is herself around this building, and she is glad Nathaniel has called, reminding her of the promise she has made. It is surely for the best that she walking those streets for the last time, and as she throws a glance around, she realizes she won't miss it.

She is inhaling a deep breath to explain everything, but she is interrupted.

"Nate! Time's up!"

Nate refrains himself from rolling his eyes, throwing his thumb up at the colonel on the other side of the warehouse instead.

"I'll explain later. You have more important things to do. Don't worry. I'm fine, just tired and everything..."

"You're sure?" he asks, though he already knows her answer.

She'll put on a shield to not worry him, burying her weakness and her tears deep inside.

"Yes, I'm fine. Focus on your mission, and be careful."

Here, he can hear her intransigent lawyer voice, which is almost ironic when she has just given up her vocation.

"What are you going to do right now?" he asks just one more question, ignoring his colleagues' signals, as, in spite of the gestures he catches out of the corner of his eye that indicates the contrary, he knows they always impose the end of communications long before the real time limit.

"I'm going home. I've promised to help my brother."

He wants to ask more. He could listen to her talk for hours like this, ask her about her decision, soothe her tears, or even just find out what she is helping her brother for because the half-smile echoing through her voice lets him know there is more. But he doesn't have this time. He's already relieved to know she won't be alone with her torments; it would only worsen the ache tearing through his stomach.

"Okay, I really have to go. I'm sorry... I'll see you tomorrow?" He doesn't know himself if it's a question or a statement.

"You're not allowed more calls?"

"No." He shakes his head, even if she can't see him. Though maybe she can picture him like he envisions the soft hazel in her eyes, sadly glistening with the remainings of unshed tears.

He wishes he could be there with her to dry the tears from her eyes like he hasn't dared to the first time he's seen her cry.

The shaky breath she inhales, as if she is about to say something but then decides against it, reminds him loudly of the distance between them, and the unsaid words will haunt him during the long hours until tomorrow.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" Her voice sounds smaller, and it only makes his heartbeat stronger.

Could she be at least half as eager as he is?

"Yes, see you tomorrow."

"Okay... Um, bye, and be careful..." she finishes softly, and too soon he is left with the empty dial tone to shake himself out of the daze she has pulled him in from afar.

He blinks his eyes at the concrete under his boots, the metal containers all around, and the gray truck waiting for him. But he needs a few seconds to remember exactly where he is, except for the fact that he isn't where his heart tries to fly to with every thud against his ribcage, and as he joins his colleagues in the back of the truck, her light accent is still echoing in his ears, and her unseen tears are still playing before his eyes.

"So lover boy, your wife couldn't wait tomorrow?"

"We thought we would be forced to tear the phone away from your ear!"

"There was something urgent..." He avoids with a small smile, grabbing his weapons and getting ready.

Though it doesn't stop his colleagues' teasing. "Yeah, yeah..."

Only one of them is unusually quiet: Darrell, and Nate notices undoubtedly the lift of his eyebrow and his clear gaze that doesn't need words to show him what he's thinking.

Nate averts his eyes, looking down despite the mission that requires having eyes everywhere, and he prays the hours will go by fast because they seem more and more interminable.

Sorry, it was a shorter chapter, and I know how you love my longer chapters 😏 But this one had to be shorter because there are longer ones to come, and my evil writer side also likes to leave you hanging a little! 😈 It's only because I love you that I tease you, don't worry! 😁❤😘

In the meantime, did you expect Ana's decision? 😳😨 She's giving up her dreams, what do you think will happen next? 

And aren't they too cute, the two lovebirds? 😉 

If you liked this chapter and are eager for the next one, don't forget to vote ⭐, and let me know in the comments all your thoughts and suggestions! 😘

PS: Allo = how we say 'hello?' over the phone in French 🤓