Mia Lake
(2 moths later)

I sit at the kitchen table, staring out the window at the gray sky. It matches the way I've felt since the day we moved here, two months ago.

This town feels lifeless, quiet, and far too small for me to hide in. But then again, hiding was the point, wasn't it?

I stir my coffee, listening to my mom chat with her friend, Leah.
Who we've been staying with.
The smell of baked bread fills the air, something she's always making to pass the time.

My mom sits at the table with Leah, their conversation flowing easily as they talk about old memories and local gossip. Leah and my mom go way back. From a time before I was even born, and though I can tell she's happy to be here with her friend, I can't help but feel so...out of place.

"How's your new job going, sweetie?" mom asks, pulling me back into the conversation. Her eyes are soft, worried. She knows I'm struggling, but she's trying her best to make this feel like home. I never told her why we left. But she thought it was a good idea, so she never questioned it.

I force a smile, not wanting her to worry more than she already does.
"It's okay." I say.
The bookstore I work at is dead most days, with barely any customers coming in. And when they do, it's just to browse for a few minutes before leaving empty handed. The store itself feels like a forgotten relic, lost in time, like this entire town.

Sarah looks over at me, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea. "It takes time, Mia. You'll settle in soon enough. You're young, you'll meet people."

I nod, though I'm not sure I believe it. The truth is, I haven't met anyone here. I've kept to myself, spending my days at the bookstore and my nights in my room. And honestly, that's for the best. I've spent too much time getting involved with people, with situations, that I shouldn't have. And now, here I am, trying to escape from it all.

But no matter how far I run, the memories follow me.

Amelia calls me every day, making sure I'm okay. She's devastated that I had to leave. I told her I had a better job offer here, that's why I moved.

Alex hasn't called. Not once. And I haven't called him either. Maybe it's for the best. Maybe it's a sign that this distance, this space between us, is what we both needed. Still, it hurts more than I want to admit.

"You'll find your rhythm, Mia." Leah adds with a kind smile. "This place may be quiet, but it has its charms. And the people here...well, they're good folk, once you get to know them."

I nod again. Maybe she's right. Maybe this town will grow on me. But right now, it feels like a prison, one I walked into willingly.

"I'm going to head to work." I say, standing up from the table and grabbing my bag. My mom gives me a small, encouraging smile as I lean down to kiss her cheek. Leah waves me off as I head out the door.

The walk to the bookstore is short, just a few blocks down the main street. There's a peacefulness to the town that I'm trying to get used to, but it's so different from everything I've known. Back home, everything was busy, loud, and full of life. Here, it's like the town is stuck in time, moving at a much slower pace.

I push open the door to the bookstore, the bell above the door jingling softly. It's small but cozy, with shelves lined with old books that probably haven't been touched in years. The scent of paper and dust fills the air, and the quiet is almost suffocating.

I glance around, hoping for a customer to walk in, but as usual, it's empty.

Sighing, I move behind the counter and settle into the stool, pulling out a book to pass the time. It's always like this, hours of silence with nothing to do but read or think. And thinking is the last thing I want to do.

I haven't let myself think about him much. It's easier that way. But now, sitting in this empty bookstore, with nothing but time on my hands, it's impossible not to.

I think about the way he looked at me that night at the ball. The way his eyes lingered on me, like he was seeing something he'd never seen before. The way he danced with me, holding me close, his hands on my waist, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered things that made my heart race.

I think about how it felt when he told me he liked me. A lot.

And I think about the way I walked away.

Because I had to.

Because staying meant risking everything.

I'm so lost in thought that I barely notice the door open, the bell jingling softly as a customer steps inside. I glance up, surprised to see a man standing by the door, his eyes scanning the shelves.

He looks...familiar, though I can't place him. He's tall, dressed in a dark hoodie, that covers most of his face with a shadow.

I straighten up, setting my book aside as I watch him go through the shelves. He moves with a certain ease, his fingers trailing along the spines of the books like he's searching for something specific.

"Can I help you find something?" I ask, my voice breaking the silence.

The man pulls down his hood.

I blink not believing my eyes. It's Austin.

"Austin!" I breathe out.
He turns toward me with a smile. "Hey Mia."

That's all it takes. And before I know what I'm doing I run toward him. The weight of the past few months, the loneliness, the isolation, it all hits me at once. I throw myself into his arms. Barely able to contain the emotions crashing over me.

He catches me, his arms wrapping around me.
"Oh my god! What are you doing here?" I ask exited.

He chuckles softly. "You left without a goodbye. So I thought I would come find you." He says as I pull away from the hug to look at him.
This is exactly what I needed. A familiar face.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do." I admit.

"It's fine, but it's been weird without you around." He says.

I smile at that. "Yeah. I've missed you too. It's been...hard here." I say.

So much has happened. Mia has moved and Austin is back.
What's your thoughts on Austin? >>>

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